tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88854689298279854372017-12-13T15:16:44.999-06:00On the Road of RetirementTwo early retirees sell all their possessions and set out for a life of travel in their RV...heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.comBlogger1172125OnTheRoadToRetirementhttps://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-7463355956660764782017-12-13T12:36:00.001-06:002017-12-13T12:36:59.817-06:00Doing Minor RV Repairs and We Love our Awning Shade Attachment…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aHvvl4QRhZ0/WjFzJAVlJ1I/AAAAAAAAiyY/7JxE1CFR1MIVvzmm675TPhtrk0JWfMAPgCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171213_130100%255B8%255D"><img width="547" height="309" title="20171213_130100" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171213_130100" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sIPHSiQggaY/WjFzJk24QGI/AAAAAAAAiyc/NbSkNhHI_5oj8qR2TxSe9V2l7oZy_8gZQCHMYCw/20171213_130100_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We have slowly settled into our site here in Bonita Springs Florida for the winter. It is always fun to set up all of our more “permanent stuff” when we have these extended stays. One of our favorite long term stay items is our extended <a href="http://amzn.to/2C1NdEB">awning shade screen</a> we bought several winters ago. It creates a sense of privacy and of course a sunscreen from the glaring sun when facing the west which we are this season. I simply attach it to our awning with little “<a href="http://amzn.to/2ATtjMN">S-hooks</a>” which are also used to hang our Christmas lights on. It is surprising how much cooler it keeps not only the outdoor area but inside as well…</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-97P2oFJ2OKY/WjFzKNeFhxI/AAAAAAAAiyg/cZ6u0w8LKocEzTclRiIM8srW6rl5ibyYQCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171213_130047%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="20171213_130047" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171213_130047" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cK8IkgGgxao/WjFzKmkIiXI/AAAAAAAAiyk/teyhv2MCnx4jTnk2EZ0WF0VCFy9TeAQYgCHMYCw/20171213_130047_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-smw5xEV10fg/WjFzLZQZxBI/AAAAAAAAiyo/eyeWFQAQskAUzdR-fgRpYg8GzLb7AyfvwCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171213_130001%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="20171213_130001" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171213_130001" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WiKYuGGA58g/WjFzL-uBHLI/AAAAAAAAiys/cPYEg0CWBhgXTK6tH6PRaltqDVAAdGP5wCHMYCw/20171213_130001_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>For wind protection I attach our screen to the ground two ways. First I use a good quality rock <a href="http://amzn.to/2C28myq">climbing rope</a> to tie off the corners. I use this type of rope since it has a lot of give and spring to it letting the awning flex in higher wind gusts. I attach the rope by looping it over the awning bars and then I use a <a href="http://amzn.to/2ynZkJX">corkscrew type anchor</a> to tie it off on. After both corners are secured I use tent stakes a few more cork screw anchors to tie of the bottom&nbsp; so it will flare outwards and help secure the awning screen. I love, love , love the little room this set up creates.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ms2xEyLkYPY/WjFzMSJ445I/AAAAAAAAiyw/CobsSwA1ylgMMPEryOH5_h-D2flLLqkNgCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171213_130112%255B8%255D"><img width="384" height="218" title="20171213_130112" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171213_130112" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-chQA94WSm18/WjFzMy--UUI/AAAAAAAAiy0/T0gzT2pC2zYZOFOFOmP0ANuPMouxkCEtgCHMYCw/20171213_130112_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RyfaSYTjR_8/WjFzNTYl1lI/AAAAAAAAiy4/_Z7QdtYc_4In7iUUu4KycKYB_aBrSpeHQCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171213_125956%255B4%255D"><img width="124" height="217" title="20171213_125956" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171213_125956" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B0TYUgTX0ko/WjFzNzrqPFI/AAAAAAAAiy8/ciWjvt252lkRmcrwbWCslCzJwCUk0QlRACHMYCw/20171213_125956_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We have been spending mornings after breakfast walking around our large park. We also have been ticking off repair items piled up over the course of this year's travels since last winter. Obviously we fix major items as needed but smaller items and items that can be put off&nbsp; just get put on a list until we get somewhere for an extended stay. This way we can order items and have them delivered so we slowly accomplish every task on our repair list.<p>A few items i needed to order were a new <a href="http://amzn.to/2AUOwFW">drain “pop-up center”</a> for our bathroom sink and a new drain screw for the bathroom shower. Our RV is almost 10 years old so these items had rusted completely through. A long screw holds the shower drain in place and it had actually rusted in half leaving part of it in the baseplate it screwed into. I had to drill out the baseplate and rethread it so I could plug in a new screw down drain. Thankfully the drain/stopper in the bathroom was much easier to replace. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_tWrTAGDMQA/WjFzOtkjdSI/AAAAAAAAizA/qFPOW7V40aQ1_LH5HfxBiI_tnUxHls2EACHMYCw/s1600-h/20171206_130054%255B5%255D"><img width="388" height="220" title="20171206_130054" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171206_130054" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pTT9CZPheh4/WjFzPB5gWZI/AAAAAAAAizE/odUOKv25gWMV_CkVN-skUmiXqic2Pr5VACHMYCw/20171206_130054_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HC_aITz_n54/WjFzPnc8a4I/AAAAAAAAizI/E17RPhBmrocJsBOGeMvwcxjmwU4whiDJgCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171206_130328%255B4%255D"><img width="127" height="223" title="20171206_130328" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171206_130328" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nGgwoiRfqzY/WjFzQUfMwhI/AAAAAAAAizM/8ucLA6TxnKMODFc13bvQtqyu28FvqwKtQCHMYCw/20171206_130328_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>I would suggest that if you haven’t done so is to check and see if your screw holding your drain in the shower can turn without disintegrating. If you can get the screw out take it to your nearest Lowes or Ace Hardware to buy a stainless steel screw. as stainless steel will never rust and then you will never have to replace your drain like we did.<p>I also had to replace the small LED bulb which burnt out in our water pump indicator switch. I hate it when these burn out since it makes it so you never know if your water pump is on or off. These are very easy to fix and for less than a buck you can get two replacement bulbs. It is a bit tricky getting the old light bulb out and I chose to solder it back in place but others choose to wrap the wire leads around to the posts on the other side of the switch. If you don't understand what I am talking about&nbsp; <a href="http://www.tiffinrvnetwork.com/crusingator/P/P-068.pdf">this link will explain in detail how to replace the LED bulb</a>.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e-9aGB93hRY/WjFzQ0PW73I/AAAAAAAAizQ/UZkWgU9W27MQNXlil4nuc0qcZWnjohYlwCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171206_131609%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="20171206_131609" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171206_131609" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M5DugKrtDZI/WjFzRgQk4fI/AAAAAAAAizU/KSVvBRzRFlQnYdWNWaxwbWwNtUNppezZQCHMYCw/20171206_131609_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EGaZQDpng0M/WjFzSJhvlMI/AAAAAAAAizY/FZEa7qtm3gsauM4wBdkma73vgG2EGJf3wCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171206_133059%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="20171206_133059" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171206_133059" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e4L0XrVQu9g/WjFzSrbqs6I/AAAAAAAAizc/rss8gO_H3m81YkdehU60nkkmMdn2R7aHwCHMYCw/20171206_133059_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>It sure is nice having a mailing address so we can easily get needed items for our repairs. I have many more things to repair but at least we have gotten off to a good start. After repairs, we will go through every drawer and cabinet to purge and organize. Such is life during extended stays on our Road of Retirement.<p><b><i>NOTE: We are now in our winter home for the next several months in Bonita Springs Florida at Imperial Bonita Estates RV park and Coop.</i></b><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/4TPi2YHP55U" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com1http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/12/doing-minor-rv-repairs-and-we-love-our.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-81714691515558126662017-12-09T15:45:00.001-06:002017-12-09T15:45:20.668-06:00Made it to Bonita Springs Florida for the Winter…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gfbicYFQ2Hg/WixY-DrCpvI/AAAAAAAAixE/DoyVifTRqkYv6nfo6roAaWjjFTn0Tnr-QCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171201_143228_000%255B8%255D"><img width="550" height="216" title="20171201_143228_000" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171201_143228_000" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iQ679vgPO2U/WixY-ndIafI/AAAAAAAAixI/qaTVXMCpF4k6kTIy8QY2KSmfY3QYn3FZgCHMYCw/20171201_143228_000_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Well we had a very short drive down to Bonita Springs Florida. We will be staying at Imperial Bonita Estates, a park we have stayed at before. This year we expected it to be different. So the day before we needed to be there we drove the 20 drive south in our CRV to check out the site they assigned to us. We had some concerns since it was on the street that had the worst damage from Hurricane Irma and the worst flooding from the Imperial River.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Ce5cNE_k6s/WixY_VvzAsI/AAAAAAAAixM/l1V4l10svLo62OQnAO0PeDauYdcDm6YBQCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171201_135721%255B7%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="20171201_135721" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171201_135721" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IfPWNrC2nnk/WixY_-ZzyeI/AAAAAAAAixQ/S8PqA-th8mM48hIeeinF9moAjKPPmru_ACHMYCw/20171201_135721_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D0Bhi2GPIVg/WixZANvSOnI/AAAAAAAAixU/mMQJ-Y9607I1f3I_jD5HcMIxexp-61mHQCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171201_135030%255B7%255D"><img width="244" height="137" title="20171201_135030" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171201_135030" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H7_vyQBdqIM/WixZAueJSnI/AAAAAAAAixY/saqmMeNxdck1HpPm7Wb2ihEPB-u4A3q-gCHMYCw/20171201_135030_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Sure enough our site was smack in the middle of two heavily damaged park models that are both slated to be destroyed and hauled off later in December. So we went to the park’s office and asked if any other sites were available and luckily for us there were three others. So we selected another site on one of the two roads we originally preferred to be staying on anyhow. Although the park is still showing signs of the extensive damage from the hurricane and flooding we think we will still enjoy our winter stay here. We better… as we will be here for three months not leaving until March 1st, 2018.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pvNOORD4-ck/WixZEEoXGAI/AAAAAAAAixc/uSgVgfJiJnkblEJl66EqBX_xK5tIQdohACHMYCw/s1600-h/20171201_143228_001%255B8%255D"><img width="195" height="172" title="20171201_143228_001" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171201_143228_001" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hm4i3v0cdGE/WixZET-nt9I/AAAAAAAAixg/Qup7IRMpmmkPPpPHEJ6lzAtOsiE_hbSaACHMYCw/20171201_143228_001_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AmGfBiowAFc/WixZXMeoyHI/AAAAAAAAixk/SwAliDBO4bEnPtbPBhk6GOIBkiNhVfevwCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171208_113004%255B8%255D"><img width="296" height="168" title="20171208_113004" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171208_113004" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qDaRp6DQHpc/WixZXbfZ-BI/AAAAAAAAixo/Qn_NPxOWkvwa5kPCIEPdY7z94uQi7yXfwCHMYCw/20171208_113004_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>One other task I tackled while we were in Fort Myers was I decided to take on the task of replacing my CAC hose that I bought in Jacksonville Florida. Remember the Cummins Service Center there wanted $1000 to install this hose and had they managed us better they would have gotten that $1000 too. Well even without the right tools and without the knowledge of the tricks to replacing the hose it took me less than three hours to get the task done. I would have saved an hour if I had insert the hose first at the pipe end inside the RV rather the the pipe end from the outside of the RV. Nonetheless, we saved $1000 so I felt as if I got paid $333.00 per hour to do it myself.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UjimTfE2HfY/WixZYLnNeVI/AAAAAAAAixs/Recv5HgKU2ASlfRfIlv-Ap49sOz-fd0EACHMYCw/s1600-h/20171208_112904%255B5%255D"><img width="255" height="145" title="20171208_112904" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171208_112904" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yO5Sm-0mj88/WixZY5PIx0I/AAAAAAAAixw/KyjRQLLHxTou9Xuea-tEH1DzSeFnVuseQCHMYCw/20171208_112904_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VYeRVNc5nGQ/WixZZQlWvAI/AAAAAAAAix0/G-kk485NF6E4yEpp2ivBZyhKKCToHKSzQCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171208_112925%255B4%255D"><img width="249" height="142" title="20171208_112925" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171208_112925" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ygYOJZaMAok/WixZZgLeZ1I/AAAAAAAAix4/MBALSbuGT3o3MbzQFUBph2qQjo-w2iEdgCHMYCw/20171208_112925_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The drive to Bonita Springs was uneventful but best of all we had no whooshing or squealing sound from our engine. So it appears as if my repair was the key to getting rid of the noise and apparently I did it right since it never squealed. Hooray!!!</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G2vvHgUCdCE/WixZaBHv2hI/AAAAAAAAix8/rViHX2AgvzAfLPnZfejjQLCc2lJr6ftBgCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171208_113022%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="20171208_113022" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171208_113022" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RgxGN6Z42VU/WixZacyX6mI/AAAAAAAAiyA/mRReMu7LkeMtEj0Xq0-nAa1Ygk4iwgDHwCHMYCw/20171208_113022_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DDUm5SfxmpQ/WixZa7Q0eXI/AAAAAAAAiyE/1Fdr5y6T59sCmxMRhBTIdNg9XXdCP51vwCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171208_113050%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="20171208_113050" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171208_113050" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ea28fm9KBs/WixZbgAy6-I/AAAAAAAAiyI/zPgoJyRIkqc0CXKDnEM6lMsvK9v869HHgCHMYCw/20171208_113050_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The first few days at Imperial Bonita Estates (know as IBE to my readers for now on) we mostly spent time getting set up and organized. However, there was one event we simply had to attend as we have always had a good time at the Greyhound Race Track on their “Dollar Days” promotion. Sure enough we had a great time and even won several of our bets. No big winners but when hotdogs, beer and popcorn are only a dollars each we come out winners anyhow…</p><p><b><i>NOTE: We are now in our winter home for the next several months in Bonita Springs Florida at Imperial Bonita Estates RV park and Coop.</i></b></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/m2W7e6-NisE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com3http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/12/made-it-to-bonita-springs-florida-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-55797809309744494452017-12-06T07:10:00.001-06:002017-12-06T07:10:46.964-06:00A Few Hikes Near Fort Myers Florida…<p><img width="548" height="308" alt="Image may contain: tree, plant, sky, bridge, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24059054_10155224990106139_2313139109219056804_n.jpg?oh=abe853d496a7d1ab7d5b2adab6a2e7d2&amp;oe=5A95183E"><p>Although we spent most of our time in Fort Myers staying at our fabulous RV resort we did make time to go on a couple of hikes. One was a nice hike I would rate four stars and the other one was pleasant but not more than a two star hike..<p><img width="301" height="111" alt="Image may contain: ocean, outdoor, water and nature" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24059110_10155224995256139_6552819947464969718_n.jpg?oh=a943236a2e2b2985a56e8dbf967d3011&amp;oe=5A94C72E"><img width="199" height="112" alt="Image may contain: sky, tree, plant, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24294415_10155227079386139_2464074109585898802_n.jpg?oh=8bc71669599cbb9e7ded738ac0d5288b&amp;oe=5A890424"><p>Although I rated the <a href="http://www.leegov.com/conservation2020/publishingimages/recreation/PPP_trail_map.pdf">Prairie Pines Preserve Trail</a> a two star hike it was still good and worth taking the trail for a change of scenery. The boardwalk loop trail we picked was very short but took us though a nice representative stand of habitats typical in this part of Florida. The preserve has about 20 miles of trails but most were closed due to Hurricane Irma damage so we might have missed some of the better trails.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EaImkQOwF0Q/WifsSud-eMI/AAAAAAAAiwU/5kQBEa3Z1kUOV_T1kDcind1rEml5s1UcgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B4%255D"><img width="163" height="287" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D5k-bIpdZJo/WifsTG2359I/AAAAAAAAiwY/5hnaWOl9nFoyNhmQ_ffhQ-1Zz339gPVDACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-61HYLtzx-Bk/WifsTeufb3I/AAAAAAAAiwc/WsCQHLlf_jozHliwh7F6_ZMQ3_zRd_hMQCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171128_134553%255B5%255D"><img width="164" height="289" title="20171128_134553" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171128_134553" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oOSxFB8Cpu0/WifsTx0SN6I/AAAAAAAAiwg/SJjdiNRfLIQENl_Xxwp-mdlradwRopNrwCHMYCw/20171128_134553_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QwtiFJnPQu0/WifsUI2ns_I/AAAAAAAAiwk/aAxwW7tawUgG_zShA--v_X6n0fuISTp7QCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171128_141818%255B5%255D"><img width="165" height="290" title="20171128_141818" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171128_141818" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-irMSq8Id_HM/WifsUgUWz1I/AAAAAAAAiwo/zceoKqAPX6UESW4KlpmJApb_KZNGMPCAQCHMYCw/20171128_141818_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>The other hike I rated higher was at the <a href="https://www.leegov.com/parks/facility?fid=0105">Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve</a>. It had just recently re-opened after having been closed to clean up damage from the hurricane. It has a wonderful loop trail which is mostly on a boardwalk that meanders through a beautiful young swamp. The boardwalk trail is less than 1.3 miles but requires one to walk very slowly to take in all that there is to see and experience. Volunteers are seen throughout the park answering visitor questions and pointing out wildlife.<p><img width="236" height="300" alt="Image may contain: tree, plant, outdoor, nature and water" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24129852_10155224990201139_8090422004382477414_n.jpg?oh=acdd2e45f8248fd626e22faffb11a722&amp;oe=5AC45961"><img width="251" height="299" alt="No automatic alt text available." src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23905759_10155224990491139_6876832011534745957_n.jpg?oh=8d15ba3fe36334badbfbc19ca9468c5e&amp;oe=5A8F7AF4"><p>There was a parking fee of $1 per hour at this preserve but definitively worth the small price to pay to enjoy this saved piece of Florida wilderness. Even in late fall there was much to see. Turtles and snails were everywhere as we approached each of the small lakes within the preserve. We saw American Alligators resting on one the two ramps made by park staff. At first I was put off by these unnatural ramps but then got to thinking that they were probably great lounging places for the alligators since so many people traipse through the park.<p><img width="227" height="413" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24131463_10155227079286139_2152098298896276287_n.jpg?oh=dfa8406071fc7b26cf5da74b39341ead&amp;oe=5AC4E99C"><img width="271" height="413" alt="Image may contain: tree, plant, sky, outdoor, nature and water" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24131556_10155224995221139_7388529534600286159_n.jpg?oh=a3ca1c7714485801f236983d86d87574&amp;oe=5AC44C0E"><p>Water snakes were hidden in the swampland below the boardwalk and wading birds were milling around in search of a nice tidbit to eat. Small birds were flitting around and hawks were trolling the area as well. However the best sighting of all was spotting three young wild pigs barging through the thick swampy underbrush while pushing their snouts deep into the soil in search of a morsel. We watched the three little pigs mill around and feed to their hearts content. Standing quietly on the boardwalk we were within 10 to 20 feet of them most of the time, What fun that was…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ir3hXVnYDkM/WifsU1mJk6I/AAAAAAAAiws/PaHFovlgLVU_K08ZLDSaZ97bGQRqWa3WQCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171128_145539%255B5%255D"><img width="208" height="169" title="20171128_145539" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171128_145539" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Og89uJ8xtw/WifsVa808ZI/AAAAAAAAiww/xjKeo1Lcs0c6IPWGBabEKUmAYte84Ul0ACHMYCw/20171128_145539_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><img width="300" height="169" alt="Image may contain: tree, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24174159_10155224995326139_3933722570089361830_n.jpg?oh=cd9e3d02342b6934b0d47c81e7e645ed&amp;oe=5AC42990"><p><b><i>NOTE: We are now in our winter home for the next several months in Bonita Springs Florida at Imperial Bonita Estates RV park and Coop.</i></b></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/gwNScEf-M7w" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com1http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/12/a-few-hikes-near-fort-myers-florida.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-18866039592165231812017-12-02T20:12:00.001-06:002017-12-02T20:12:59.090-06:00A Taste of the Future? - Resort Life at Cypress Trails RV Resort in Fort Myers, Florida.…<p><img width="532" height="299" alt="Image may contain: sky, cloud, tree, ocean, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24130039_10155219177391139_3736356124472149124_n.jpg?oh=63b01aea8228875a97082d9cc9a23094&amp;oe=5A9D1EAB">As mentioned in the previous blog we were looking forward to our weeklong stay at Cypress Trails RV Resort in Ft Myers, Florida. This is a fairly new resort offering rental spaces as well as ownership lots. Upon check-in we were escorted to our site on a street lined on both sides with tall beautiful royal palm trees. We passed a few lots with coach houses and/or tiki huts included on what we assumed were owner lots. We backed into our spacious concrete pad on site number 294.<p><img width="367" height="207" alt="Image may contain: sky, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23844555_10155216814826139_346934378602854871_n.jpg?oh=11d8770b49b3f4f993c0aed70ed84b3b&amp;oe=5ACF6A09"><img width="147" height="208" alt="Image may contain: sky, tree, cloud, plant, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24067828_10155216814881139_1674887005289590416_n.jpg?oh=2aba873c39a096ec256718082c1a6c08&amp;oe=5A9D5B98"><p>After setting up we wanted to take a long walk around the large resort to get acquainted with it and its amenities. The landscaping is immaculate and features two inner circles around small lakes with fountains. One lake also has a dock and chairs for visitors to relax in during their stay. The owned lots were not only tricked out with the large tiki pavilions and coach houses, but also had some impressive outdoor kitchens and tiled pads. Sidewalks are on every street and we found a large dog park near the trash/recycling enclosure. <p><img width="258" height="145" alt="Image may contain: sky, cloud and outdoor" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24067934_10155219177516139_5945093640363395158_n.jpg?oh=f37b51ce2846b928239810d1507a3888&amp;oe=5A938FE7"><img width="256" height="144" alt="Image may contain: plant, flower, sky, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24058963_10155219177606139_5806960476802430064_n.jpg?oh=177a81767d3bb7d00d83d26f0531ffc0&amp;oe=5ACA0191"><p>Further along our walk we found shuffleboard, tennis and pickleball courts. The large clubhouse has a couple of meeting rooms and houses the lifestyle coordinator, main offices, a fitness room as well as an outdoor pool with a hot tub. We knew right away we were going to enjoy our stay!<p><img width="119" height="217" alt="Image may contain: one or more people, people playing sports, sky and outdoor" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23915997_10155220895176139_4057841452684785137_n.jpg?oh=514688b7857e830d0fc90988c11cacb1&amp;oe=5A8BB479"><img width="386" height="217" alt="Image may contain: people playing sports, tennis, sky and outdoor" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23844635_10155220895361139_5709761426604059273_n.jpg?oh=70cda92a0d93afa32f90c7fe5df705b7&amp;oe=5AD151CD"><p>We spoke to the lifestyle coordinator who directed us to the shed where the pickleball racquets and other sports equipment is stored for our use. We also picked up a calendar of activities noting that we would probably attend donut day, the ice cream social and margarita night (yeah we’re bad). <p><img width="245" height="138" alt="Image may contain: people sitting" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24068128_10155224014866139_4623920561422631797_n.jpg?oh=4c4fd959751f9e13763bbfa4c1742618&amp;oe=5AC8ED8F"><img width="242" height="136" alt="Image may contain: one or more people" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24174279_10155224014811139_5039077538740811486_n.jpg?oh=945d3ede319a451e05a71190aed2c379&amp;oe=5AC9979E"><p>This is indeed an impressive resort and just the kind of place Sharon LOVES. This checked off all the boxes for us EXCEPT location. Its farther from the beach than we would like as it would take 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic to enjoy our favorite beaches. However it was nice to see this resort and take note of what is available since we know one day we will eventually settle down. For now we are enjoying the road but this stay gave us an idea of what the perfect place would look like in SW Florida. Cypress Trails RV Resort in Ft Myers, Florida has everything anyone would need!<p><strong><em>NOTE:We are now in Bonita Springs Florida at Imperial Bonita Estates until March 1, 2018.</em></strong><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/kByV76bfNFY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com4http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/12/a-taste-of-future-resort-life-at.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-18062244888711683752017-11-29T11:49:00.001-06:002017-11-29T11:49:59.380-06:00Snook Fishing at Florida’s Franklin Locks Park…<p><img width="542" height="305" alt="Image may contain: cloud, sky, tree, outdoor, water and nature" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23659136_10155204985291139_6384718706443268779_n.jpg?oh=a405b8ee1e0b7c8c338bc36243bbecde&amp;oe=5A9DC0E7"></p><p>We left the St Lucie Lock COE park and drove across the state of Florida from the Atlantic side to the Gulf of Mexico side. It was a drive of just a little over 100 miles and a quieter drive after my new tape “fix” on the bay CAC hose. We pulled into another wonderful COE park called WP Franklin North.</p><p><img width="242" height="136" alt="Image may contain: sky, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23844891_10155204985166139_2650394149187146578_n.jpg?oh=b170b342bf7af4d2c66fca8129c08a17&amp;oe=5AD63482"><img width="244" height="137" alt="Image may contain: sky, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23755329_10155204985376139_1343637003589118440_n.jpg?oh=60b477ebc8393e32bd1f3417fad44cd2&amp;oe=5A9E3435"></p><p>We pretty much hung around the park because of the beautiful campground water views on both sides of us. It was also Thanksgiving weekend and time to count our blessings as we are ever thankful we were able to retire early and hit the road at a relatively younger age than most retirees. To celebrate properly we bought a 9 lb. turkey and cooked it up in our convection oven. Of course no Thanksgiving would be complete without our traditional sides of some cornbread dressing, yams, green bean casserole, giblet gravy and cranberry sauce. Since it was only the two of us we had a feast. We spoke with our kids and grandkids which ended our Thanksgiving on a delightful note.<p><img width="525" height="295" alt="Image may contain: tree, sky, cloud, outdoor, nature and water" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23659707_10155204985251139_8322876598792120938_n.jpg?oh=db0057dcc9bbced3831f28db6b698842&amp;oe=5AA2ADF6"><p>With all the leftovers we will be eating a lot of turkey and dressing over the next few days. Of course one of our favorite ways to use leftover turkey is to make a turkey tetrazzini. After some diced onion, garlic, red bell pepper, sliced mushrooms and seasoning along with a wine cream sauce, egg noodles and turkey, we&nbsp; topped off the pasta with some shredded parmesan cheese making for a wonderful&nbsp; meal not resembling turkey at all. Sharon also found a tasty apple cranberry crisp recipe which used up our leftover cranberry sauce. I loved our Thanksgiving prep and all the leftovers it yielded to our home on wheels.</p><p>The park also has a pier and the snook fishing has been really hot right now. I didn’t have the right gear to partake in the exciting fishing going on at the pier but I did watch and learn how the more seasoned anglers fish for snook. The lure that seemed to get the most action was the <a href="http://amzn.to/2zop8Hd">Bass Assassin Saltwater Sea Shad</a>. Anglers would toss out out as far as they could in the swirling waters coming through the spillway.</p><p><img width="506" height="209" alt="Image result for snook" src="http://offszone-olefloridaflysho.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/snook-eat-me-fly.jpg"></p><p>Reeling slowly the snook would hit hard and begin a lengthy and furious battle.&nbsp; I saw a lot of<img width="142" height="256" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline;" alt="Image may contain: drink" src="https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23844758_10111957199104024_6824023516517023704_n.jpg?oh=6df2c8a99b7ad5707dab1774f13d7357&amp;oe=5AD17027"> fish landed but with the limit for keeping them set at one fish per day as long as it was between 28-32 inches very few were kept. That being said, some fish approaching 4 feet in length were caught and it was amazing to see these beautiful fish. I took my light action rod and reel and tried using a <a href="http://amzn.to/2iRYOii">weedless yellow bird spoon</a> since I read they also hit spoons. I did hook one snook who put up quite a battle but it ended up winning as it broke off one of the barbs on the treble hook of the lure.</p><p>The only snook I got was a cold brew with the same name but it was oh, so good…<p>With Thanksgiving behind us it is getting close to December which will have us staying put for three months in Bonita Springs Florida. We have one more stop at a fairly new park in Fort Myers called Cypress Trail RV Resort that we are looking forward to seeing…<p><strong><em>NOTE: We are currently at Cypress Trail RV Resort just outside of Ft. Myers.</em></strong><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/AZ6sZRoo4ow" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com4http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/11/snook-fishing-at-franklin-locks-park.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-7856303410417872432017-11-25T07:20:00.001-06:002017-11-29T11:24:37.397-06:00Great Gift Ideas for your favorite RV’er!<p><font size="2">Here are some great gadgets or gift ideas that we love or have found useful. I have listed them in order of cost so get shopping for your favorite RV’er :</font></p><p><font color="#0000ff" size="4"><strong>Under $10</strong></font></p><p><font size="2"><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/1RxkJqi">Water Bandit</a></strong></font><font size="2"> – This is a must have for RV’ers who like to use National Parks, State Parks and US Forest Service campgrounds. This little non-threaded blue wonder will attach to any water source!</font></p><p><a href="http://amzn.to/2B99hOd"><font size="2"><strong>Camco Fridge Brace - 2 pack</strong></font></a><font size="2">&nbsp; <font color="#000000">This nifty little item attaches to the wire shelves in the refrigerator&nbsp; and keeps food from sliding around. </font></font></p><p><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/1Rxlpfe"><strong>Quick Hose Disconnect</strong></a></font><font size="2"> – Make life easy with these quick connect/disconnects and make <font size="2">hooking up your water hoses quick and easy!</font></font></p><p><font size="2">.<a href="http://amzn.to/1RxkJqi"><font size="2"></font></a><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/1Rxlpfe"><font size="2"></font></a><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/1RxkJqi"><font size="2"></font></a><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/1RxkJqi"><img width="159" height="185" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BB4KLKQWL._SY450_.jpg"></a></font><a href="http://amzn.to/2B99hOd"><img width="125" height="187" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71pSD5xyNDL._SL1346_.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/1Rxlpfe"><img width="201" height="180" style="display: inline;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61CH1TXzFDL._SL1200_.jpg"></a></font></font></font></p><h4><font size="2"><font face="Arial"><font style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2z8ZmXj">Command Hooks</a></font></font><font color="#000000"></font></font><font face="Arial"><font size="2"><font color="#000000"><font style="font-weight: bold;"> </font>– </font></font><font size="2"><font color="#000000">These adhesive hooks are great for hanging items in the RV as they are easy to install and come off easy without leaving a trace.</font></font></font></h4><p><font size="2"><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/1RxmrrD">Microfiber Dish Drying Mat</a></strong></font><font size="2"> <font color="#000000">– Every RV kitchen needs one of these small but efficient matts for drying dishes on.</font></font></p><p><font size="2"><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/1jHuR1L">Quakehold Museum Putty</a></strong></font><font size="2"> – Want your pictures to stay up and not fall down? Don’t want to make holes in the walls. Here you go… museum putty works on any surface.</font></p><h4><font size="2"><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/1RxmrrD"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></a><font face="Arial" size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/2z8ZmXj"><img width="154" height="168" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81AAi8vWt8L._SL1500_.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/1RxmrrD"><img width="172" height="172" alt="Product Details" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51wzEMOhn3L._AA160_.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/1jHuR1L"><img width="172" height="172" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51NP2ZZFgbL.jpg"></a></font></strong></font></h4><p><a href="http://amzn.to/2glaUAF"><font size="2"><strong>RV Slideout Corner Guards</strong></font></a><font size="2"> – Tired up hitting your head on the corner of your slide-out? Get rid of the those swimmers noodles and use these.</font></p><p><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2zoXC0d">Vanicream Lip Protectant/Sunscreen Tube, SPF 30</a></strong> – Sharon had to go through a painful process when she found out she had pre-cancerous spots on her lips. The Mayo dermatologists told us to use this lip cream for the best protection of our lips from harmful sun damaging rays.</p><p><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2BhBGBM">Camco RV Gutter Spouts</a></strong> – If your RV doesn’t have these or the ones you have are missing you need these. They directs rainwater away from the sides of your RV thus reducing dirt and black streaks and installs in just minutes.</p><p><font size="2"><br></font><a href="http://amzn.to/2glaUAF"><img width="218" height="142" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71Sqr9oGHJL._SL1500_.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2zoXC0d"><img width="140" height="140" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61yZhcREBWL._SL1000_.jpg"></a><img width="130" height="142" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61eJMo9qi-L._SL1312_.jpg"></p><h4><font face="Arial" size="4"><strong><br></strong></font></h4><h4><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="4"><strong>Under $30</strong></font></h4><p><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/2BaavZp"><strong>Rand McNally 2017 Large Scale Road Atlas</strong></a><em><strong> – </strong></em></font><font size="2">It is always nice to have a good map to go along with your GPS. Also great for boondocking since it uses no power and it also includes information on bridge heights and highway exits.&nbsp; </font><p><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2iCkIGf">Selfie Stick With a Shutter Button</a></strong><font size="2"></font><font size="2"> – Everybody who takes pictures needs one of these to get a new perspective on their photos</font></p><p><font size="2"><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2g8etHA">Flexible Mini Tripod</a></strong></font><font size="2"> – Want to take a group shot or a time lapse photo of something and need a tripod? Here is a solution for your digital camera, smart phone or mini-cam.</font></p><p><font size="2"><font size="2"><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/2gk40Ic"><font size="2"></font></a><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/2BaavZp"><img width="132" height="196" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61ifouBC5lL.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2iCkIGf"><img width="192" height="196" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61cLQQ%2BCY7L._SL1212_.jpg"></a></font><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/2g8etHA"><font size="2"></font></a><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/2g8etHA"><img width="172" height="196" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71CJuKaJbiL._SL1500_.jpg"></a></font></font></font></font></font><a href="http://amzn.to/1RxnXtR"><br></a><font face="Arial" size="2"><br></font></p><p><a href="http://amzn.to/1m54MeV"><strong>Heavy Duty RV Tire Gauge</strong></a><font size="2"></font><font size="2"> –We all know that checking our tire pressure on our RV is extremely important. So pick up one of these heavy duty tire gauges.</font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/2B8BlRv"><strong>Exercise Resistance Bands</strong></a></font><font face="Arial" size="2"> <font color="#000000">– Are you into fitness and staying in&nbsp; shape then these portable exercise bands are the perfect gift. If you have a small set of weights then a set of these will make your outdoor gym complete.</font> </font></p><p><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2hQBe8L">Digital Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer</a></strong><font size="2"></font><font size="2"> – Need to know how chilly it is outside? Then this device that displays indoor and outdoor temperatures is just what you need.</font></p><p><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/1RxnXtR"><font size="2"></font></a><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/1m54MeV"><img width="164" height="164" alt="Slime 2020-A Dually RV Dial Tire Gauge 10-160 PSI" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31ILTjhZXjL.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2B8BlRv"><img width="165" height="165" alt="Product Details" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YF8eyS4XL._AA160_.jpg"></a></font></strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2hQBe8L"><img width="166" height="166" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61VlbXZo%2BbL._SL1000_.jpg"></a><p><br></p><p><font size="2"><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2zUYY22">Kill-A-Watt Meter</a></strong> - </font><font size="2"> This cool gadget will monitor the electrical load of any plugged-in device. Why do this? Well it helps when you are boondocking by knowing how much power each of your plugged-in devices consume. </font></p><p><font size="2"><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2z9BWB4">RV Visited States Stickers</a></strong> – Mark where you have been and where you haven’t been. This is a great ice breaker at RV parks as people will simple stop and ask about some of the states you have been to.</font></p><p><font size="2"><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2z7OyIY">Camping Signs</a></strong> – Many RV’ers like to add a little touch of home to their camp site. Check out this camping signs for one that fits your style.many under $25 but others are higher.</font></p><p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="4"><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2zUYY22"><img width="127" height="127" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71KD5T1jaNL._SL1500_.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2z9BWB4"><img width="198" height="127" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51XRLOnFcyL.jpg"></a></strong></font><a href="http://amzn.to/2z7OyIY"><img width="167" height="128" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71vllp2XqfL._SL1500_.jpg"></a></p><p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="4"><strong>Under $50</strong></font></p><p><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2jbqnCF">Oxygenics Shower Head</a></strong><strong></strong> – <font color="#000000">Wan</font><font color="#000000">t better water pressure especially when boondocking. Then you will want to replace tour current shower head with this one</font><font face="Arial" size="2"><font color="#000000">.</font></font></p><h6><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/2zXeOJy">Zero-G Freshwater Hose</a> - </font><font size="2"><font style="font-weight: normal;">While we don’t have one of these hoses yet you are looking at our next hose that we will purchase. I love the Teknor Apex’s lighter weight and that it is kink-free. This is one great&nbsp; heavy-duty RV hose.<br></font></font><font size="2"><font style="font-weight: normal;"><br><a href="http://amzn.to/2hGF8gD"><font style="font-weight: bold;">Camco Heavy Duty Leveling Blocks</font></a> – These are perfect for leveling single and dual Wheels on Class A RV’s. They are also great for Class B’'’s and C’s as they work well under hydraulic jacks and tongue jacks.</font></font></h6><p><a href="http://amzn.to/2jbqnCF"><img width="132" height="165" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61qYo5SFVqL._SL1253_.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2zXeOJy"><img width="168" height="168" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Z8CFmX9KL.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2hGF8gD"><img width="190" height="169" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91xFb9pPWrL._SL1500_.jpg"></a><font size="2"><br></font></p><h6><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="4">Under $100</font></h6><p><font size="2"><a href="http://a.co/05RKvXU"><strong>Portable RV Jump Pack</strong></a></font><font size="2"><strong>: -&nbsp; </strong>One thing that has saved our bacon more than once is one of these. </font><font size="2">When you have a dead battery and don’t have jumper cables this device will jump start your car or RV without anyone else's assistance. I will say just don’t buy the Whistler brand as we have been going around and around with their company to replace our unit after it quit working after only two uses.</font></p><p><font size="2"><strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2zVZblp">Drone Quadcopter with Camera</a></strong></font><font size="2"> – I don’t own this item but love watching them and seeing the photography they take form above. A perfect entry-level drone with</font><font size="2"> easy controllability and the Amazon number one best seller.</font></p><h6><font size="2"><font style="font-weight: normal;"><font style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.goodsamroadside.com/rv/ra/enroll/index.cfm?promocode=2RWL&amp;utm_source=LS&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=yearend2&amp;siteID=.mJPpd752iM-kIWZ4SrL3diwYcJezSxNPg">Good Sam Roadside Assistance - Now only $79.95!</a></font><font style="font-weight: bold;"> </font>- </font></font><font size="2"><font style="font-weight: normal;">Every RV’er needs a</font></font><font size="2"><font style="font-weight: normal;"> reliable 24/7 Roadside Assistance policy. This policy has unlimited towing, lockout services, fluid delivery and more at just $79.95 per year! We have had this service for the last six years and had to use it twice. Once for a roadside flat repair and once for a tow 60 miles away to a service center. We love our Good Sam’s Roadside Assistance policy so much we extended it three years on our last renewal. <a href="https://www.goodsamroadside.com/rv/ra/enroll/index.cfm?promocode=2RWL&amp;utm_source=LS&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=yearend2&amp;siteID=.mJPpd752iM-kIWZ4SrL3diwYcJezSxNPg"><font style="font-weight: bold;"><em>Use this link and get 3 extra months free!!!!</em></font></a></font></font></h6><h3><a href="http://amzn.to/2hHvQRv"><img width="106" height="106" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81NSatLsz1L._SL1500_.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2zVZblp"><img width="107" height="107" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81teH1nWuZL._SL1500_.jpg"></a><a href="https://www.goodsamroadside.com/rv/ra/enroll/index.cfm?promocode=2RWL&amp;utm_source=LS&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=yearend2&amp;siteID=.mJPpd752iM-kIWZ4SrL3diwYcJezSxNPg"><img width="280" height="109" alt="Good Sam Roadside Assistance Logo" src="https://images.goodsam.com/goodsamroadside.com/GSRANewLogo.png"></a></h3><p><font size="2"><font style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodsamroadside.com/rv/ra/enroll/index.cfm?promocode=2RWL&amp;utm_source=LS&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=yearend2&amp;siteID=.mJPpd752iM-kIWZ4SrL3diwYcJezSxNPg"><font style="font-weight: bold;"><em><br></em></font></a></font></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="4">Gift Cards - Can be any denomination </font></p><p><a href="http://amzn.to/2B9Yx1Q"><img width="121" height="75" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline;" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/gc/designs/livepreview/a_generic_white_10_us_noto_email_v2016_us-main._CB277146614_.png"></a><font size="2">Not sure what to get your favorite RV’er then one of the best stocking stuffers you could get them would be an<strong> </strong><a href="http://amzn.to/2B9Yx1Q"><strong>Amazon Gift Card!</strong></a></font><font size="2">&nbsp; Or you could pick a site specific gift card to one of their favorite restaurants by searching this <a href="http://amzn.to/2fvj742"><strong><em>link for gift cards</em></strong></a></font><font size="2"> Who wouldn’t want a gift card in their stockings!</font></p><p><font size="2"><br></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="4">Gift a RV Membership</font><br><font size="2"><img title="Passport America Discount Camping Club" align="right" alt="Passport America, Save 50% on Campsites" src="http://www.passportamerica.com/img/banner/banner8.gif"></font></p><p><font size="2">Lastly get a gift that will save your favorite RV’er a bunch of cash when they go camping. Get them a one year </font><a href="http://www.passportamerica.com/netid/joh_886"><font size="2">Membership to Passport America</font></a><font size="2">. For only $44.00 your favorite RV’er will save 50% off at nearly 1900 campgrounds.</font></p><p><font size="2">We have been members for nearly seven years and we have stayed at many of these campgrounds. While they may not be all glamorous resorts many of them are among some of our favorite places to stop…. and we get them all for 50% off! What a deal!!!!<br></font></p><p><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/2BfZFB7"><strong>Amazon Prime Membership</strong></a> – Need somethng delivered fast? Then you need this. Also gives access to free streaming of thousands of books and movies as well as millions of songs and many other perks!</font></p><p><b><font size="2"><a href="http://www.goodsamclub.com/?pkgcode=2GXX&amp;utm_source=LS&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=membership1&amp;siteID=.mJPpd752iM-JdfQmh0GR6woDdBm9tF6MQ">The Good Sam Club</a></font></b><font size="2"><b>:&nbsp; </b>For $25 per year the Good Sam Club membership will save some money. It provides u</font><font size="2">p to a 30 percent discount at Camping World, saves </font><font size="2">10 percent at 2,100+ Good Sam parks and campgrounds across North America, saves f</font><font size="2">ive cents off gas and eight cents off diesel at Pilot or Flying J Travel Centers,saves </font><font size="2">25 percent off LP gas on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Camping World and many other perks!</font><p><a href="https://harvesthosts.com/"><font size="2"><strong>Harvest Hosts</strong></font></a><font size="2">: While we aren’t currently members now we always sign up when we get near areas that are rich in camping opportunities using this membership. It allows members to stay FREE overnight at vineyards, farms and other unique spots. At $44 per year it will pay for itself fast. We found it best for smaller rigs but those of us with larger rigs can stay at a lot of real neat spots as well.</font><p><a href="https://www.boondockerswelcome.com/"><font size="2"><strong>Boondockers Welcome</strong></font></a><font size="2"> - Another group that offers up a large database of free campsites across the USA. This site however, is not for those of us with large RV’s and is better suited to smaller RV’s as many of its sites will be in someone’s driveway. Great for city camping</font><p><a href="https://www.xscapers.com/"><font size="2"><strong>Xscapers</strong></font></a><font size="2"> or <strong>Escapees</strong>: The Xscapers is a community of working-age RVers that holds regular convergences &amp; meetups while the Escapees tend to be non-working retirees. Not only do you get great discounts on many parks you will meet a lot of new friends through these communityies.</font><p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="4"><strong>OVER $100</strong></font><font size="2"><br></font><h3><font size="2"><font style="font-weight: normal;"><font style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2hJBBhy">WeBoost Drive Sleek Cell Phone Booster</a></font><font style="font-weight: bold;"> </font>- </font></font><font size="2"><font style="font-weight: normal;">Now although we don’t use this device it is the most recommended for those who </font></font><font size="2"><font style="font-weight: normal;">wants or wished they had better cell reception on the road. </font></font><font size="2"><font style="font-weight: normal;">Better yet this booster is an affordable option that requires no permanent installation!</font></font></h3><p><strong><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/2z9VYeN">Portable Grill</a></font><font size="2"> - </font></strong><font size="2">Not every campground has access to a grill and if they do they are usually pretty nasty. If you boondock (camp for free on public lands) you really need a grill. I currently use the <a href="http://amzn.to/2zadnUL"><strong><em>Coleman Road Trip Portable Grill</em></strong></a> and have so for nearly 7 years. I find it to be an excellent grill for most of our needs. The only other one I would personally recommend is the </font><a href="http://amzn.to/2hGDQlH"><strong><em>Weber Q Portable Grills</em></strong></a><font size="2"></font>. We know many RV’ers who swear by this grill as well.</p><p><font size="2"><br></font><p><a href="http://amzn.to/2hJBBhy"><img width="156" height="144" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81yZsxiC4yL._SL1500_.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2zadnUL"><img width="135" height="145" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/4155JNXBP0L.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2hGDQlH"><img width="195" height="146" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/7182EeSBH5L._SL1500_.jpg"></a></p><p><font face="Arial" size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/2zXDdhZ"><strong>Instant Pot 7 in 1 Cooker</strong></a> – Another device we don’t currently own but when one of our major appliances dies we will most likely be owning one of these. Everyone who has ne raves about the various ways this one pot cooker can be used. Wow&nbsp; - Just Looked and this is a Cyber Monday Special. </font></p><p><font style="font-weight: normal;"><font style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2iDufwI"><font size="2">Garmin RV 760LMT Portable GPS Navigator</font></a><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></font><font size="2">– </font></font><font size="2"><font style="font-weight: normal;">The ultimate RV GPS! This baby has a large 7" high-resolution touchscreen displays It has c</font><font style="font-weight: normal;">autions and advisories (i.e. risk of grounding, lateral wind, narrow road, sharp curve, steep hill and tree overhangs). </font><font style="font-weight: normal;">You can even talk to it. as it has vo. </font><font style="font-weight: normal;">ice-activated navigation. It includes specialized RV routing based on customizable restrictions such as height, weight, width and length. And it comes with </font><font style="font-weight: normal;">free lifetime map and traffic updates</font></font></p><p><font size="2"><a href="http://amzn.to/2zYyDAd"><strong>Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband</strong></a><strong> –</strong> Sharon loves, loves, loves her fitbit. Maximize your workouts, count your steps, track your heart rate, s</font>ee phone calls, texts and calendar notifications on the OLED display, automatically track how long and how well you sleep and more… Did I mention Sharon loves her fitbit!!!</p><p><a href="http://amzn.to/2zXDdhZ"><img width="155" height="155" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71A7S1HqW8L._SL1500_.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2iDufwI"><img width="151" height="151" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71CFG%2B20DOL._SL1500_.jpg"></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2zYyDAd"><img width="131" height="169" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81cp0NTn-EL._SL1500_.jpg"></a></p><p><br><p><font size="2">All-New Fire HD 10 Tablet with Alexa Hands-Free, 10.1" (32 or 64 GB) – We don’t own this device but it is certainly on my wish list. It has a large </font>10.1" 1080p Full HD display with up to a 1.8 GHZ quad-core processor and 2 GB RAM. And best of all it has up to 10 hours of battery life!!!<p><a href="http://amzn.to/2hLChD3">RV Awning Screen</a> – We love our Awning Screen as it gives us a sense of privacy as well as much needed shade when facing west. While we may not use this all the time it is absolutely fantastic for any of our extended stays and is always the first thing out to be put up. Your price will depend on your size ordered and some are even under $100. Make sure to measure how long and how tall you want your screen to maximize your room inside it.<p><img width="218" height="218" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61fTH8Uil9L._SL1000_.jpg"><a href="http://amzn.to/2hLChD3"><img width="284" height="219" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/614V-gLIgrL._SL1001_.jpg"></a><font size="2"><br></font></p><font size="2"></font><font size="2">Soon we will be in Bonita Springs, Florida for our extended winter stay. The best thing we love about staying in a place for an extended period is that we have a mailing address. We will be buying lots of goodies we need and have them delivered to our winter home. </font><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/_6sG76v84pk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com5http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/11/great-cyber-monday-gift-ideas-for-your.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-63884575525851687802017-11-22T13:27:00.001-06:002017-11-22T13:27:20.969-06:00Stuart Florida and Seeing RV Friends…<p><img width="524" height="295" alt="Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, people sitting and indoor" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23658522_10155199785016139_4472854569786480045_n.jpg?oh=9d89e16f8a24b969d770a2d96c21d2ee&amp;oe=5AA6ABFF"></p><p>We left the Vero Beach area and drove another short distance to the St.Lucie Locks, a Corps of Engineer Park I have always wanted to camp at. Less than 50 miles on the road and we were pulling into our campground. We had awesome views of the Locks so we new this stay would be a treat.</p><p><img width="247" height="139" alt="Image may contain: ocean, sky, cloud, grass, outdoor, nature and water" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23658884_10155196920141139_5973721192551185636_n.jpg?oh=d7923f7b72c262a8f6573c85217d8028&amp;oe=5A92EBCE"><img width="249" height="140" alt="Image may contain: cloud, sky, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23561566_10155196920331139_8743954432002358121_n.jpg?oh=1d2963c9b37ec2970794272434be8107&amp;oe=5AA3D12A"></p><p>The next day we decided to drive our car around the area and ended up on Jenson Beach where we took in a long walk to enjoy the surf sounds and smells. We love the beach!!! Well we did until we got back to the car… As we were brushing the sand off our feet as we always do,we both noticed we had huge black spots on our feet – TAR. Yuck, we didn’t see any tar balls on the beach but they were obviously there. Oh well not everyday on the beach is a great day!<p><img width="252" height="142" alt="Image may contain: tree, sky, cloud, outdoor, nature and water" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23621989_10155196920411139_3925487906224746213_n.jpg?oh=b968f78d0797d8fd3f53a996a5cb5416&amp;oe=5AAA8EE2"><img width="256" height="144" alt="Image may contain: sky, cloud, ocean, outdoor, water and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23621203_10155196920236139_5182242377924066022_n.jpg?oh=3ab57fe4a1ed7f8c1d152044e67f8ff7&amp;oe=5AA57612"><p>We also spent a great deal of time simply walking around our campground as we are adjacent to a county regional park as well. There was also a nice visitor’s center run by volunteers. There was not too much to offer adults but there is a great interactive display for those with kiddos. The walking trails at the adjacent Phipps Park are great and we walked everyday we were here. There are some nice boardwalks and retention ponds in the regional park which made walking the area very pleasant.<p><img width="175" height="280" alt="Image may contain: bird, plant, sky, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23754726_10155201572981139_3147865323320998682_n.jpg?oh=95f0d565b176111a73df944d95fada9e&amp;oe=5AA03147"><img width="296" height="277" alt="Image may contain: bird, sky, plant, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23722411_10155201573116139_7732916496500172665_n.jpg?oh=d278a95e6407b26af289e325601895d5&amp;oe=5AAC4315"><p>One day during our long loop walk I told Sharon I heard some Sandhill Cranes but we didn’t spot them. On our return around the loop we discovered a pair of Sandhills walking along the dirt road into the park. I assumed they would fly away as we neared them but they did not! We walked alongside them at their pace some 8-10 feet. It sure was fun walking with the cranes that day!<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ahFOeMPJ_XY/WhXPjmJOFbI/AAAAAAAAivo/FvpoTAeEniwfTKBcTS4U3PV-WBW8wkYxACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9803%255B5%255D"><img width="257" height="286" title="DSCN9803" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9803" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qk5sNNNE4ow/WhXPkCMKiEI/AAAAAAAAivs/jG891XxyMfkq4KCrPb47Fp1SpnfuUdCcgCHMYCw/DSCN9803_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3u6QwMnx75c/WhXPkj0TP0I/AAAAAAAAivw/i0qcdmweGh4QnPm1Uhggndq9bSExmbNcACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9802%255B4%255D"><img width="242" height="288" title="DSCN9802" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9802" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AwQ339b5XB0/WhXPlF_1XNI/AAAAAAAAiv0/Qmu5weK5WjQMfaPPtN7BrDZ7pfKwT1WLACHMYCw/DSCN9802_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Another highlight of the trip was our meet up with friends and fellow bloggers Jim and Nanc whom we first met at Betty’s RV Park. We have crossed paths several times during our travels around this beautiful country of ours. This time we met up at a place called Mulligan’s. Sharon had found a great coupon deal for some free firecracker shrimp so we met at this nice waterfront bar/restaurant for happy hour and dinner. It was fantastic to see the two of them again. We hope to see them again at Betty's in the Spring.</p><p><img width="231" height="202" alt="Image may contain: 4 people, people smiling, people sitting and indoor" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23755543_10155199785781139_162798283243696522_n.jpg?oh=db1b8a7a96f72223ca2c0a8c30da2484&amp;oe=5AA89774"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nWQDBdhn5kA/WhXPlQEd1rI/AAAAAAAAiv4/SuA71MOoXCMOivEheNq0d5LFIjvx_6s3gCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9808%255B4%255D"><img width="264" height="199" title="DSCN9808" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9808" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-en-m1Ogp1UU/WhXPlzT1A4I/AAAAAAAAiv8/y0oeAW_MBgsIBdfcpMhuQYoeNSNPNYmTwCHMYCw/DSCN9808_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Our last day Jim and Nanc wanted us to meet them at the Seafood Festival in Stuart but I had other plans to see if I could remedy the whistling sound we are experiencing from my ill fitted hose repair. My plan was to cut off the existing repair and just use some extra <a href="https://www.walmart.com/?u1=&amp;oid=223073.10014451&amp;wmlspartner=*mJPpd752iM&amp;sourceid=23701072042244663459&amp;affillinktype=3&amp;veh=aff">Gorilla Tape I bought at Walmart</a> to see if it would temporarily do the trick . I guess we will find out on the next journey on our road of retirement….<p><strong><em>NOTE: We are now in Fort Myers until the end of November.</em></strong><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/G7EyRD9qXt8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com4http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/11/stuart-florida-and-seeing-rv-friends.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-22709287582296284792017-11-19T08:27:00.001-06:002017-11-19T08:27:08.989-06:00Last Days in Vero and a Visit to the Navy Seal Museum in Ft. Pierce Florida…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ib7LrdAitHM/WhGUn8p4_HI/AAAAAAAAiuk/Zv17i4gb5yQvbupl17zix17_F2DQgEiBACHMYCw/s1600-h/20171115_131758%255B4%255D"><img width="552" height="312" title="20171115_131758" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171115_131758" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kUjREGGI9Kc/WhGUofFs9QI/AAAAAAAAiuo/w_GpNj4yEVwIdvYG4dDMdq1KUO8E9AlkACHMYCw/20171115_131758_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>As we mentioned in our last blog, Sharon's cousin's wife Penny had an active schedule planned for us on our last day in Vero Beach. And she did… First we went over to the <a href="https://www.mckeegarden.org/">McKey Botanical Gardens</a> where she works/volunteers. We have visited this wonderful garden before but there were some new art pieces created by The Ark Collective in Nairobi, Kenya which features 24 super cool hand-crafted.sculptures </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ObbfjcbG9uE/WhGUoxrrLKI/AAAAAAAAius/4MlVIemPKeAoe6OUUoFOqoDfafVTyviZACHMYCw/s1600-h/20171115_132501%255B5%255D"><img width="164" height="288" title="20171115_132501" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171115_132501" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oS6mCsc_Jkk/WhGUpWXiy2I/AAAAAAAAiuw/O7nc9FUm81Ia3-VTQXoHz68p5uNtDH4eACHMYCw/20171115_132501_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kVzMdwgzcfw/WhGUp8LePcI/AAAAAAAAiu0/ml0I875NfFQnvYC-fg8TIm_R7VmF40lKwCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171115_133620%255B6%255D"><img width="165" height="290" title="20171115_133620" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171115_133620" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nCBvuTd9A7E/WhGUqaL55vI/AAAAAAAAiu4/YshpS6rSnGsG9vyHivgjS8xQsSx4JU0QACHMYCw/20171115_133620_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GeNqmiQ2uJY/WhGUq2V7h9I/AAAAAAAAiu8/4_84F67-SmIm5fTzKI7xGubsjuEtxa0jwCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171115_133817%255B6%255D"><img width="165" height="289" title="20171115_133817" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171115_133817" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SGy1EhGOqhA/WhGUtLoXUbI/AAAAAAAAivA/GfwAn7KpCbQBtVnfS5Y_a1yUrzI2zChaQCHMYCw/20171115_133817_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>This amazing exhibition is scattered throughout the grounds and are each perfectly placed in the garden. There is a beautiful rhinoceros, a hippopotamus, elephants in the jungle, a 16 ft. giraffe foraging on leaves and some incredibly realistic looking crocodiles. Walking among these sculptures along with all the beautiful blooming plants (especially all of the orchids) was a real treat and a great way to start the day.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C3U5q2_naCg/WhGUto1WamI/AAAAAAAAivE/QEuDiCs9-4U3DdZKoZaW3Y4jH6V3b1o5QCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171115_134408%255B4%255D"><img width="391" height="222" title="20171115_134408" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171115_134408" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zxBVkdhBjXA/WhGUuzGEhtI/AAAAAAAAivI/-ACZ7xEwnjI4N-CfVKP98dltldeQzPY5wCHMYCw/20171115_134408_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><img width="122" height="219" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23517626_10155192158336139_1133095092026805928_n.jpg?oh=f0c018dedf60641f2ca34ffce761339f&amp;oe=5A8A5305"><p>Our next stop was to visit the <a href="https://www.navysealmuseum.org/">Navy Seal Museum</a> in Ft. Pierce Florida. Amazingly I was able to score a <a href="https://www.groupon.com/visitor_referral/h/e6a7aab7-1ab7-4544-b329-c8ff4e78987d">GROUPON</a> for the tickets as well. The museum is dedicated solely to preserving the history of the U.S. Navy SEALs. We spent the better part of an hour and half but could have spent longer had we not arrived to close to closing. The exhibits were very well laid out, informative and many were interactive. For those who love museums, this one is a must see when in this area.<p><img width="386" height="217" alt="Image may contain: plant, tree, sky, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23559724_10155192068976139_7610503289527148000_n.jpg?oh=f0648aeca37341d1a784784519e15cf2&amp;oe=5A8EB4E3"><img width="120" height="218" alt="Image may contain: tree, sky, plant, outdoor, nature and water" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23622342_10155192069536139_5683848321671726934_n.jpg?oh=7d1e5a3925e7794653945c4d4a8424b7&amp;oe=5A9BC4DE"><p>Our next stop was the <a href="https://www.allthingstreasurecoast.com/Beer/Craft-Breweries/Sailfish-Brewing-Company.html">Sailfish Brewing Company</a> for happy hour. I sampled a few of their beers before settling on their Sunrise City IPA and Sharon had their Round Island Rye IPA. Sailfish makes some tasty beers with great flavor and body. They were some of the better brews we've had while in Florida. After some cold brews and lively conversation we moved on next door to the <a href="http://www.2ndstreetbistro.com/">2nd Street Bistro</a> for dinner.<p><img width="117" height="211" alt="Image may contain: drink" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23561537_10111897218660314_3150529028903109577_n.jpg?oh=d4be81891c22a59b272b5fb5c651ae14&amp;oe=5A98AD2E"><img width="379" height="213" alt="Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, people sitting" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23622051_10155192051491139_8038472387853604817_n.jpg?oh=f4884f2ad7d746538ae9af21cf7aee75&amp;oe=5A9AC868"></p><p>When we walked in the place it was packed and after having their $6.99 Burger Special I understood why. They serve a delicious 1/2 pound burger and fries at a great price ( I recommend the smothered burger). We were also there because this night was trivia night and&nbsp; both John and Penny are trivia buffs. Also present to assist us was Penny’s brother and one of her co-workers, both of which were a pleasure to meet and converse with. Although we didn’t win the trivia contest it didn’t deter us from have a great time!</p><p><img width="359" height="202" alt="Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, people standing, tree, plant, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23622114_10155192051446139_8519118502302339166_n.jpg?oh=df94e5ee3f4681a15b0c691b260650d1&amp;oe=5AAE9403"><img width="155" height="207" alt="Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing, shoes, plant, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23517792_10155192051661139_8349484153429849707_n.jpg?oh=3fc7d1b3475d082a6bcac538198f7f1a&amp;oe=5A92EEB3"><p>We sure had a blast visiting with John and Penny. We figure that we will see them again since we won’t be too far away this winter. We will be looking forward to seeing them both again. Our two days passed much too quickly and it was time to move on once again…<p><strong><i>NOTE: We are now at&nbsp; a COE park outside of Stuart FL for four nights total…</i></strong><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/OxV8hSdb0-0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com5http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/11/last-days-in-vero-and-visit-to-navy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-58030084993354579872017-11-17T05:51:00.001-06:002017-11-17T05:51:48.962-06:00Last day in Melbourne, Florida–First day in Vero…<p><img width="543" height="327" alt="Image may contain: plant, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23519332_10155186207481139_7229900517593049550_n.jpg?oh=e741769da1e1db23fefd41aa55fec12e&amp;oe=5AAEA16B"></p><p>Our last day at Wickham park in Melbourne, Florida we were finally able to play their disc golf course. Much of the course was unplayable during most of our stay due to the Native American festival being held there. The course was nicely laid out and had 22 holes. We played all but two as one still had people taking down festival tents and another went over a large pond. We don’t play holes we know we could lose a disk on. We sure enjoyed this course.</p><p><img width="167" height="190" alt="Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, tree, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23473075_10155186207311139_8338800811235715208_n.jpg?oh=4554e36887bc30504d6cb1f8fd76a8c6&amp;oe=5A94D30B"><img width="343" height="193" alt="Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, tree, grass, sky, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23473102_10155186207421139_4239231318509011766_n.jpg?oh=935d384c4be5daebfe903a8700b0f316&amp;oe=5A97808E"></p><p>As dinner rolled I was looking to solve a craving. Since we didn’t travel through Louisiana this spring I had been craving an oyster po'boy. So when I found a great <a href="https://www.groupon.com/visitor_referral/h/e6a7aab7-1ab7-4544-b329-c8ff4e78987d">GROUPON</a> code for a Cajun place called Tabones I bought it and off we went. The <a href="https://www.groupon.com/visitor_referral/h/e6a7aab7-1ab7-4544-b329-c8ff4e78987d">GROUPON</a> included 2 oyster po'boys/baskets, an appetizer, two drinks and a basket of beignets. While the meal didn’t live up to Louisiana standards it did hit the spot and solved a craving I had. It also was a nice way to end our stay here.</p><p><img width="348" height="196" alt="Image may contain: people eating and food" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23519246_10155186215516139_8853722365003248248_n.jpg?oh=ff04e3c6da722301c976000cf7f3c030&amp;oe=5A91D4E4"><img width="159" height="194" alt="Image may contain: food" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23519361_10155186215561139_3737369146665624789_n.jpg?oh=95ac4c939b92e59fc513be97d89021c0&amp;oe=5A8F257E"></p><p>Morning came and went as we packed up to head south.to our next stop about an hour away which would be Tanglewood RV Park near Vero Beach. We only have two nights there with our purpose being to visit Sharon’s cousin John and his wife Penny.We look forward to reconnecting with them as we always have fun around them.<p>After setting up we drove over to Vero Beach to see John and Penny. Penny had made a tasty lunch charcuterie and John treated me to a nice 4-Hop Rogue Brew while we sat on their back patio enjoying the great weather.. We had fun reconnecting and erasing the time since our last visit. They live only a couple of blocks from the beach so we all strolled from their condo over to the beach to walk along the shoreline.<p><img width="214" height="161" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23380039_10155192051601139_3105789988696443307_n.jpg?oh=028585a6bc1e40bfebb90fd9178e1148&amp;oe=5A9BEB96"><img width="288" height="162" alt="Image may contain: ocean, sky, water, cloud, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23472105_10155186215271139_100923235669115356_n.jpg?oh=e719b0c29299378b82a0dfcbbcb5c55b&amp;oe=5A918C72"></p><p>Vero Beach lost lots of sand from Hurricane Irma but there was still enough for us to enjoy our stroll and chat. Their boardwalk survived the hurricane so we walked most of it too. Afterward Penny prepared a special dinner for us and it was quite the treat. Her salad was particularly colorful and tasted just as good as it looked. Throw in the French fingerling roasted potatoes, sautéed butternut squash along with a great strip steak and we had a memorable, delightful dinner. Some after dinner wine a little homemade apple pie concluded our fantastic evening.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cA7yyTXoJ5c/Wg7NRNe4jhI/AAAAAAAAiuI/CHSVRkjYLz4JGjLwqVvQcxm2HzWxlKlxACHMYCw/s1600-h/20171114_185026_1510919254351%255B1%255D"><img width="388" height="220" title="20171114_185026_1510919254351" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171114_185026_1510919254351" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A39hPYvMmxg/Wg7NRu7I3AI/AAAAAAAAiuM/nVRJqcvFfS4sRggzurSPU-AjzW1f0-WGgCHMYCw/20171114_185026_1510919254351_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QiAI7r0fFvQ/Wg7NSWhFEKI/AAAAAAAAiuQ/QLB5DrYXyJoQ9RClRUSUBekVo35nS4NmACHMYCw/s1600-h/20171114_185857_1510919254844%255B1%255D"><img width="126" height="221" title="20171114_185857_1510919254844" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171114_185857_1510919254844" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JlUpFX7lwMU/Wg7NUbZjmVI/AAAAAAAAiuU/JFnyU6FRqy8bPqBcjNwCbwKVOADlIlo9wCHMYCw/20171114_185857_1510919254844_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We headed home to the RV park but have one more day of fun to look forward to as Penny has an active schedule planned for us on our last day in Vero Beach…<p><em><strong>NOTE: We are now at&nbsp; a COE park outside of Stuart FL for four nights total…</strong></em><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/eS0qzKJLwbM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com2http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/11/last-day-in-melbourne-floridafirst-day.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-64153790050627650622017-11-15T05:52:00.001-06:002017-11-15T05:52:11.354-06:00Our Veteran’s Day Activities in Melbourne Florida…<p><img width="177" height="319" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline;" alt="Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, sitting, drink, hat and indoor" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23434995_10111862943622764_1229028722608513458_n.jpg?oh=d1b599a390f1ec5d890cb5f004ae068e&amp;oe=5AAE138F">Our next stop in Melbourne, Florida was only about 40 miles away so we waited until 11 in the morning to depart so we wouldn’t arrive too early and find someone in our site who hadn’t left yet. We pulled into Wickham Park about noon and came in following our GPS which turned out to be a back way causing us not to see the main office. <p>We found our site and thankfully it was empty so we pulled in and set up. Sites at Wickham are large and as a result they allow campers to situate within the site in any way they want Therefore we decided to set up with our nose in allowing us a better window view and better patio setup. We will be here for four nights. After setting up we drove over to the office to check in.<p>Our only issue on the way over to Wickham was my taped hose patch must have shifted a bit more so it started whistling at a higher pitch as we drove under load. This was not going to work for us so the first thing on my list was to redo the patch. It sure was easier this time around as I knew how to contort my arms inside the dog house to wrap the new patch. Hopefully this will get us to Bonita Springs without any further annoyance. I plan to replace the hose while we are there.<p>With Veteran’s Day approaching and blustery, rainy weather forecasted we decided to take advantage of all the free offerings to Veterans over the weekend. Our first stop was for a late lunch/early dinner at B.J.’s Brewhouse where they offered a free entrée to any Vet. This combined with their happy hour on beer made for a fun and very inexpensive visit.Their hamburgers were great along with their nice craft beer.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q205AcgfzL0/WgwqR5bfypI/AAAAAAAAitk/n73ciuOBqtQfmiIcVssOGhE9xOO_E1IxwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B6%255D"><img width="328" height="258" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vwm8TfmpRno/WgwqSlRcK5I/AAAAAAAAito/Wh0zU8x8kd0x3WadU4oN5OdWVY1-ICkLACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jOUkHnNSrzc/WgwqTei6BsI/AAAAAAAAits/scyDzWl9csQELe1zxw0905Njm07Ovz_2gCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B7%255D"><img width="180" height="255" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J3BTXZahsZw/WgwqUIJHucI/AAAAAAAAitw/yBPmdJ7F3jA1KxxkC3SmW-xaihA53DtJgCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>The next day between intermittent showers we visited the Native American festival being held in our park. There was a lot of flute music, Indian dancing and drumbeats filling the air in our park <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5rSgkln_N90/WgwqXflTXNI/AAAAAAAAit0/kYYDdr4ojsQrfUnJNL3Lerif1mCj_pWLgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B11%255D"><img width="227" height="324" title="image" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JgyFHEzxK9g/WgwqaBq1xDI/AAAAAAAAit4/IXIYfTn10fkvMpC1LDLtm8NoWIxT1G7WACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>for this three day weekend. Showers chased us away so we headed to lunch at Red Robin (a place we have never been to before). They were also offering a free hamburger and fries to any Vet. We always thought this was a fast food place but it wasn’t and their burger was also pretty darn good although not as tasty as B.J.’s. Sharon liked that she could protein swap grilled chicken in her sandwich and could also substitute endless broccoli instead of endless fries.<p>That evening we took advantage of World of Beer’s offer of a free beer to Vets and stayed a while to watch some football on TV. We met a nice couple there and had a great happy hour before moving over to Tijuana Flats another place we have never been before but wanted to try out. Their offer to Vets was any entrée so I tried their steak burrito. It was just okay as both Chipotle and Freebirds (from back in Texas) are both in my opinion much better. They do have a great salsa bar with some very hot sauces that I did like though.<p>We have one day left and it will be sunny so we are planning for some outdoor activity much needed after our gluttonous weekend! I also plan to do an oil change on the CRV as well as a few other chores around the place..Then it's off to Vero Beach for a fun visit with Sharon's cousin John and his wife Penny!<p><em><b>NOTE: We left Wickham Park in Melbourne Florida yesterday and move south to Vero Beach for two nights to visit Sharon’s cousin and his wife…</b></em><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/mkuYQP3BpzM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com1http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/11/our-veterans-day-activities-in.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-76897967538546583912017-11-12T08:39:00.001-06:002017-11-12T09:01:25.064-06:00Remove and Replacing Heat Insulation and Moving on…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wPcu57Sv19k/Wghc6z9CYuI/AAAAAAAAisI/WXEWJ2cHtC0gcOlMhEtV_0kY78d7AvdpgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B10%255D"><img width="548" height="412" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DxjHjKWZjsI/Wghc8HtAJsI/AAAAAAAAisM/zjVwGZttl50XtV-Wj3L6JFcJJr-ruqaewCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Prior to leaving the Space Coast area I performed a chore which we needed which had not been done while we were at the Cummins Facility. They had informed us a piece of the <a href="http://amzn.to/2ACnq5Y">heat shield (insulation)</a> had fallen out and needed to be replaced. They would do this for one hours labor at their rate but this is something I could do so I certainly didn’t need to pay a certified Cummins mechanic to do it.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7h2duzPjz8Q/Wghc9DHjW2I/AAAAAAAAisQ/TAPXJo29YScx52fo0m9bANA7ISkHeEPqQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B3%255D"><img width="126" height="226" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CUNrleN355A/Wghc9iZ_ndI/AAAAAAAAisU/qc7FRZRF074K8SMlensnmqJkxIHi-aYTwCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><img width="388" height="218" alt="Image may contain: one or more people" src="https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23244319_10155162442126139_4528626162006591425_n.jpg?oh=3f731e1ee5d5d768287335295fcd9230&amp;oe=5A69FF5C"></p><p>The insulation was mailed from the Cummins dealer in Jacksonville to us. As you may remember although they didn’t get it in time, they wanted us to pay to have it shipped from there to here. After confronting the service manager with a threat to have my credit card cancel the payment for the insulation they grudgingly agreed to send the insulation to us in Mims Florida.</p><p><img width="121" height="220" alt="Image may contain: one or more people, shoes and outdoor" src="https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23131807_10155162441716139_6980247086008479940_n.jpg?oh=c0e6dc5e2cb34167ba441d8efad41e14&amp;oe=5A97AAF4"><img width="389" height="219" alt="No automatic alt text available." src="https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23244515_10155162441911139_8147272949931421145_n.jpg?oh=1474f85686fffdc8578da92bd889357e&amp;oe=5AA7940B"></p><p>The insulation basically covered the inside of the dog house area which houses our engine. It is designed to keep the heat from the engine from coming through the floor and heating us up. The insulation we bought had a self adhesive side and a very shiny aluminum foil side. After reading on-line I discovered that the inside of the doghouse should be sprayed with a <a href="http://amzn.to/2i8ecXD">3-M spray adhesive</a> before placing the new insulation after peeling off any old insulation.<p><img width="258" height="145" alt="No automatic alt text available." src="https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23130951_10155162442276139_6196611342551539220_n.jpg?oh=2d844dc0c6032d6a51f115f636732a7e&amp;oe=5A9BB8DA"><img width="256" height="144" alt="Image may contain: grass, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23131935_10155168352801139_7747116919893545898_n.jpg?oh=2987c97401e386ddb1483a23420e2d68&amp;oe=5AACEDC2"><p>Once the inside had been sprayed I measured to figure out what size pieces of insulation to cut. This insulation was easy to cut with scissors so after cutting the pieces I contorted myself in such a fashion as the adhere the new insulation (shiny side out) to the inside of the dog house. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8VLBILpdqbI/Wghc-VkL0JI/AAAAAAAAisY/1ucFh-qUYCM4YmNzvXsx_xYLGceVqItCgCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9730%255B4%255D"><img width="279" height="185" title="DSCN9730" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9730" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CLx4GqEBmic/Wghc_PJASNI/AAAAAAAAisc/8d1gXyZXWtgA684Vxfoiw5pynsmU_rX0ACHMYCw/DSCN9730_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CQtFFkV1P_s/Wghc_4XyFnI/AAAAAAAAisg/i19QQ6OutCUcZLOAtHZBrSPuIpKKOhLygCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9728%255B4%255D"><img width="221" height="184" title="DSCN9728" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9728" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nUws0KEZowU/WghdAjhz35I/AAAAAAAAisk/0BzFW7dRNEUwcaQffIyGXus0nX8JeWTbQCHMYCw/DSCN9728_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>There is a little trick to getting the insulation on smoothly. What I did was peel back about two inches of the paper on the adhesive side to expose the self adhesive sticky side. I positioned this part and stuck it down by pressuring it to the surface with my hand. Once the two inch piece was stuck I slowly pulled back more of the paper to expose the self adhesive and pressed down more of the insulation. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DMdxTI3u_Mo/WghdBBg19OI/AAAAAAAAiso/blN5tj8bYGcibhttXvkTtfRSDD8hgyfRwCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9741%255B5%255D"><img width="323" height="257" title="DSCN9741" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9741" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8vfeE6Jpzqk/WghdBvh3pWI/AAAAAAAAiss/4dR21KxHL4gRD02tP9IeeKdJfLWwI1ZzgCHMYCw/DSCN9741_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pjCMukSZuiQ/WghdCcSnfkI/AAAAAAAAisw/sVx9WhTim3U2L_4RqhN75p9HcfI9wGEcACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9738%255B5%255D"><img width="192" height="255" title="DSCN9738" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9738" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AVCoNuE0F4A/WghdC5wq6SI/AAAAAAAAis0/xkrCi781UzwzMcDsRtZAmuGLyurEPMsOwCHMYCw/DSCN9738_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Doing it this way a little at a time made it pretty easy to stick the paper on without having it stick to itself creating a mess. Keeping in mind that the inside of the doghouse will never be seen,&nbsp; the job didn't have to be perfect!&nbsp; I also cut several pieces to overlap seams and laid down two layers of the insulation since I had more than enough to do so. With the job done we are looking forward to see what (if any) changes we will notice with regard to heat coming through the floor.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-spTD9dkDjnw/WghdDkjgZ9I/AAAAAAAAis4/T2D5OdANeVIJy4pft2pqvh02RCn0JG7vwCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9735%255B5%255D"><img width="179" height="206" title="DSCN9735" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9735" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-30gxK8KK-iI/WghdEcp1k-I/AAAAAAAAis8/s84eKkZRKWoTG9kU6zuhicVjPyPmydQgQCHMYCw/DSCN9735_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-akFFYmw0mCs/WghdFGeqMDI/AAAAAAAAitA/7L3c8PNs43U2ozaqwbOO6yvmUhWxdmn-gCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9737%255B5%255D"><img width="153" height="203" title="DSCN9737" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9737" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HMiyu0R3-X8/WghdFmHzLcI/AAAAAAAAitE/eb6y9NoE8p05BdS4oOIl8ZUxVifwRoAswCHMYCw/DSCN9737_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wZTyZSL0IMQ/WghdGKwrHAI/AAAAAAAAitI/zt_mKDdimkwqpsi-iHZjZEjLOq9f3Ii0ACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9739%255B5%255D"><img width="153" height="202" title="DSCN9739" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9739" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SWmdBXVCnww/WghdG0dps0I/AAAAAAAAitM/bSxT52J22g87zML5X4R4vpmtyrGnUszwACHMYCw/DSCN9739_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Before leaving this area we took one last hike through Titusville’s Enchanted forest and one more drive to the Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. We saw mostly the same birds but a few were different. Some of this blog's photos are from these two trips. Our last evening was spent at Happy Hour and 50 cent wing night at the Orleans Bistro in Titusville as we head out for Melbourne Florida next…<p><strong><em>NOTE: We are at Wickham Park in Melbourne Florida until Tuesday when we move south to Vero Beach for two nights to visit Sharon’s cousin and his wife…</em></strong><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/bPo-oUVbsqQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com8http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/11/remove-and-replacing-heat-insulation.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-80778073994881010242017-11-10T06:29:00.001-06:002017-11-10T06:29:39.407-06:00Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge Florida…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SDs9y6LDzX0/WgWbQ7fqnQI/AAAAAAAAiqE/aQ6lqViqeiY-vH7YiAYB_OAyfNlAV9MLQCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9661%255B9%255D"><img width="548" height="405" title="DSCN9661" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9661" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LoLdbwW-OB0/WgWbR95-AEI/AAAAAAAAiqI/cqTBqcha99Q5UktqJM9N62jg8aSrmQGcgCHMYCw/DSCN9661_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>One of our favorite places to visit when in the Space Coast area is the Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. Recently as we were driving to the refuge I spotted a large bird on a tree off in the distance. We pulled over and discovered the bird to be a Bald Eagle. Who doesn’t love seeing Bald Eagles in the wild? We sure do as we admired it a while before continuing on the Black Point Wildlife Drive.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pi54-ZMUNlM/WgWbSeBVurI/AAAAAAAAiqM/amdOjQRF1jksUHgCJb7GCNh9-Symn0xZwCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9642%255B9%255D"><img width="295" height="309" title="DSCN9642" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9642" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vyihv4u1jIQ/WgWbTLL9dzI/AAAAAAAAiqQ/15AIGMRcE8Qy3P3aEcsJVLKp02Rcl2FcwCHMYCw/DSCN9642_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GCzhxh8LmjM/WgWbUCmcOwI/AAAAAAAAiqU/YSVLilpYYFk0VA8KKQDArrboG1bmhjYhACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9649%255B6%255D"><img width="222" height="310" title="DSCN9649" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9649" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ac-QPiagfNo/WgWbUwDWayI/AAAAAAAAiqY/gaJH7zsen2c-VCk_Pihk9CuKMpDTPZobACHMYCw/DSCN9649_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Visitors can either drive the Black Point Wildlife Drive loop or bicycle it but with it still being on the hot and sticky side we opted to drive the loop very slowly. The wetlands are a fantastic location in which to see any of the water birds who happen to be in the area. We were excited about what else we would see but I supposed it would be a bit early to be able to see many ducks.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OHAyAGYnmv0/WgWbWOsgG8I/AAAAAAAAiqc/GnSSz7KtiHwyLR-XVXe-VoJ2BIdm64TEwCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9664%255B7%255D"><img width="287" height="265" title="DSCN9664" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9664" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6QEZWdVpvdU/WgWbWqzJp3I/AAAAAAAAiqg/_Fm3pY3TlYA86WHZTUI5jRI9IDBu5K0VACHMYCw/DSCN9664_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bhmtpZAeC9I/WgWbYMyAQAI/AAAAAAAAiqk/S8rQdKxGTDwulYnUdygQQd7g5nX-1En_QCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9656%255B7%255D"><img width="229" height="262" title="DSCN9656" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9656" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fKxajucIMso/WgWbY1Dy6XI/AAAAAAAAiqo/48Dqz5gIxo8WVxbHPdoj-dKwGAIkLbiUQCHMYCw/DSCN9656_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Sure enough we had driven about 1/3 of the loop without any duck sightings and surprisingly not even any American Coots. We did however, see many different herons and egrets. My favorite of all the herons is the tri-colored heron of which we saw several . I love watching them hunt. They appear to be “dancing” as they jump about, moving back and forth with their wings spread while hunting their prey.&nbsp; So much fun to watch…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5o0MCG4QrYA/WgWbaT0l6OI/AAAAAAAAiqs/DPPjln4i3S4jIAGW7zXI41azTNw3iiL8ACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9658%255B10%255D"><img width="253" height="205" title="DSCN9658" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9658" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LM84rIU-Uw8/WgWbawvnSRI/AAAAAAAAiqw/hsk6ii-L6poDMdQ4O8fFxcabHwNDgbd6ACHMYCw/DSCN9658_thumb%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-POhCy0n6d28/WgWbcYsGmfI/AAAAAAAAiq0/wiRzQsxSSiUNIfW_H5w5khu_5ajcZ3qFwCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9659%255B4%255D"><img width="262" height="203" title="DSCN9659" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9659" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qlChFaqraG4/WgWbczmiHyI/AAAAAAAAiq4/JhoIGjJkNMoHRmPGoJpMx4UbGwWmkIUvACHMYCw/DSCN9659_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>As we made our way further around the loop drive we finally spotted a few ducks, mostly blue winged teal and a few mallards. Pied billed grebes were abundant as were red winged blackbirds. We pulled over to park and hike along a berm in the park. As soon as we started our hike we saw snowy egrets and green herons perched in the mangroves. Further along the trail much to our delight we encountered a small group of roseate spoonbills one of our all time favorite coastal birds.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aFifsc-XH78/WgWbeMvcp2I/AAAAAAAAiq8/jWmKcS0amk4Wh4Gnv0njQU27d1o2tFERgCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9725%255B6%255D"><img width="226" height="258" title="DSCN9725" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9725" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Nj_r44Jcas/WgWbetI49CI/AAAAAAAAirA/Pb-db7ZuMjIszNZFgsKzaIUlE5PuCANhACHMYCw/DSCN9725_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fb0ARnFIT6k/WgWbfmYs5OI/AAAAAAAAirE/m5-Vh3D6wa4AsPQbXULFpqomkYQX3e_fQCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9672%255B6%255D"><img width="278" height="261" title="DSCN9672" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9672" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BdZs2yeX4Ew/WgWbgIcD5yI/AAAAAAAAirI/DqhibbyHt04tnyhqFzET8kYPuo3Z9LjcQCHMYCw/DSCN9672_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We watched them feed and socialize for about 20 minutes snapping occasional photos. There were two groups of them near us. A small group of three was closest to us and another larger group of 8-10 were a good way across the water. Such fun it was to watch such wonders of nature in the wild. We eventually returned back to the car to finish the loop.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T469-KnuCU4/WgWbh3FvN3I/AAAAAAAAirM/cG2XdUfDayo6txadYf4UFor4FegNPp-eACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9700%255B4%255D"><img width="260" height="200" title="DSCN9700" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9700" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MGml0xmuwj0/WgWbigp65RI/AAAAAAAAirQ/UfkwPKYh5ZEBf7KJnyIInnevmrPqWF3GQCHMYCw/DSCN9700_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W52WN_W9LH0/WgWbkwqHEmI/AAAAAAAAirU/4Km95srG9p8sNCevvBBvcxKvNkWrtSXIACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9696%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="200" title="DSCN9696" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9696" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kkY-mfIJmnM/WgWbllrGY1I/AAAAAAAAirY/I7YTLsD5gpAg7NIdZSNmEq2T68GCqXBIwCHMYCw/DSCN9696_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>As we neared the finish we entered less brackish waters where we started seeing alligators and gallinules. Also some early migrants of smaller shorebirds were evident but far enough away to remain unidentified. The last few birds spotted were a northern harrier flying low over the marsh in search of something tasty to eat and a long belted kingfisher also looking for a tasty treat.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_F3giH1Nk38/WgWbnPcg53I/AAAAAAAAirc/Fft32y_VeowgDm3Z5Uj01IshwuGAAnSCgCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9721%255B7%255D"><img width="140" height="172" title="DSCN9721" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9721" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-epSB9K-pX4k/WgWbn2ogMwI/AAAAAAAAirg/b3AwCDMwLZIWehgcir9wkERkfgEW5Wv0wCHMYCw/DSCN9721_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZvxPW4_XH_w/WgWbpJ4PoNI/AAAAAAAAirk/DTj4JT3QvBU-4jMVewRzfJ1wllLOpIAwgCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9717%255B8%255D"><img width="377" height="170" title="DSCN9717" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9717" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6GmXxrs96MA/WgWbpzltCLI/AAAAAAAAiro/rFnLTBh4uzMfboGqlC-n0QYnIKpr3d-fQCHMYCw/DSCN9717_thumb%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We just love this loop drive and in fact drove it a couple of times during our stay.…It never disappoints.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t7PXp8MEl5c/WgWbqoxiPpI/AAAAAAAAirs/Be-TLDfn4KkikSxp0VwYQlyEtRUVyXeMwCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9776%255B7%255D"><img width="316" height="143" title="DSCN9776" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9776" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h2kvoxEKIn4/WgWbqw5UqcI/AAAAAAAAirw/LyydXOAhbbMIuOyvBn050czZ2IfGnQc-gCHMYCw/DSCN9776_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N7h3iSxGOec/WgWbrzLPzfI/AAAAAAAAir0/ugUWokqxksAGHf4Z8jHI9BKxl9h62pD9QCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9779%255B8%255D"><img width="199" height="152" title="DSCN9779" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9779" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SD-iJPq-7nQ/WgWbsSlxRrI/AAAAAAAAir4/ifXKgPDYAIgt0mHY6AWFHY-Nt6zutFpvwCHMYCw/DSCN9779_thumb%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><em><b>NOTE: We are leaving Mims Florida today to move south to Wickham Park near Melbourne Florida for four nights.</b></em><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/bjr6o9_mijA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com4http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/11/black-point-wildlife-drive-on-merritt.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-83989860814434003522017-11-07T08:19:00.001-06:002017-11-07T08:19:19.561-06:00At Mims FL for a While and a Visit to Canaveral National Seashore…<p><img width="543" height="306" alt="Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, tree, sky, plant, outdoor, nature and water" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23031229_10155158609211139_876080926260429694_n.jpg?oh=cab8598ca231b1ea7b4bbc869465c9b3&amp;oe=5A9C5482"></p><p>Since I was only able to score two nights at Gamble Rogers State Rec Area, the time to leave Flagler Beach came pretty quick. The short drive south to&nbsp; our next location near Mims Florida was a lot quieter after the gorilla tape did its job. It is still a bit noisy but we can live with it until we get to our longer stay in Bonita Springs Florida on December 1st.</p><p><img width="248" height="139" alt="Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, ocean, water, sky, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23132118_10155158609416139_626109504290479619_n.jpg?oh=284adf7f8ade4e45e7082996b62019bc&amp;oe=5A697010"><img width="248" height="139" alt="Image may contain: one or more people, ocean, water, sky, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23032804_10155158609581139_1263611182089756393_n.jpg?oh=018a3cefe44d14b9008dc4ff7d83e648&amp;oe=5A9D0C5B"><p>We pulled into Seasons in the Sun RV Resort outside of Mims FL and set up for our weeklong stay. We are going to take it easy for a bit as we have been on the move for a while now with this being our longest stay since leaving Raleigh North Carolina. It was nice to unpack the grill, our weights and other things we like to have out during longer stays. Once we nestled in, our first day concluded at our site with our own happy hour…<p>The next day we decided to take a walk to check out the resort.&nbsp; One thing we noticed right away was this is not a 55 and older park as we saw a few families live here. We also discovered two pools and hot tubs by the clubhouse. I will enjoy those but Sharon probably won't as she is still healing from the skin cancer removal and her pre cancer lip treatment.&nbsp; Sharon was disappointed there was no gym but she was happy to see pickleball courts so I know we will be playing a lot. <p><img width="277" height="156" alt="Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, ocean, sky, water, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23172569_10155158609731139_2993349220152068160_n.jpg?oh=bf81f67424416aaf8d8f14da150314af&amp;oe=5A6588D2"><img width="233" height="157" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23131832_10155158627031139_221019891799140325_n.jpg?oh=91c195ebbd2da3f0e016439268e4eab6&amp;oe=5AA6CD99"><p>One afternoon we drove over to Canaveral National Seashore. We used our National Parks Pass, otherwise it is $10 per car per day to visit.The night before I broke down and bought an annual Florida fishing license for out of staters for $50.00. I have caught just enough fish in the past to make it pay for itself but I mostly want it so I am easily entertained at the beach.<p>It sure is beautiful at this National Seashore. I got all my gear out including my cast net. I was hoping I still knew how to throw it… After 7 or 8 casts I finally caught some bait fish and set my rod out. Sharon took off for a walk down the beach while I fished. An hour or so later I still hadn’t gotten a bite so I decided to see if any sand fleas were present in the sand at the surf zone. <p><img width="373" height="210" alt="Image may contain: food" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23172509_10155158627146139_7942661728099251691_n.jpg?oh=9ef10fc697ba164382a3dd625946af63&amp;oe=5A6CD665"><img width="118" height="213" alt="Image may contain: drink" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23130460_10111811483648964_8466167280168569754_n.jpg?oh=6546f186f52fd4666cb9c841e55b7ce7&amp;oe=5A63581C"><p>I caught some sand fleas and switched from the bait fish I was using to them since I hadn’t even gotten one bite on the bait fish. I did get a few bites on the sand fleas but alas I caught no fish. So far I paid $25 per bite but hopefully I will get some fish the next time! Sharon enjoyed her walk on the beach and read a bit of a book she brought while I fished. Finally I gave up and we headed into Titusville to the Playalinda Brewery for happy hour. The beer there was just okay but the place had a lively feel and a nice vibe. Since they also have guest taps we may be back before heading south…<p><strong><em>NOTE: We are still in Mims Florida until Nov 10th and then will move south to Wickham Park near Melbourne Florida for four nights.</em></strong><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/fuhBjKx-ubA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com1http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/11/at-mims-fl-for-while-and-visit-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-46030947957824305312017-11-04T07:20:00.001-05:002017-11-04T07:20:41.843-05:00Cummins Service Center Experience and Lessons Learned…<p><img width="547" height="308" alt="Image may contain: tree, plant, grass, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22853372_10155151129551139_2815594862573534035_n.jpg?oh=0b585d3f12ea69327e28940573abc766&amp;oe=5A6481C5"></p><p>I felt a little follow up on my Jacksonville Florida Cummins experience is in order. Before we left the Cummins dealer I also had a tech come out to our rig and show me exactly what the problem was. What happened is that the “doghouse” in our rig is made of wood and then covered with carpet. Well where the doghouse was attached to the firewall area there was a piece of it in contact with the hose. Over time the wood on the edge of the doghouse acted as a saw and after thousands of miles of RV vibration it actually cut through the hose thus presenting the whooshing noise we heard.<p><img width="118" height="215" alt="Image may contain: 1 person, standing, ocean, sky, outdoor, water and nature" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23031557_10155151134146139_845400669492650803_n.jpg?oh=26be3fd1c97cffe58f79fa9fabc4ad80&amp;oe=5AA2886E"><img width="397" height="213" alt="Image may contain: outdoor" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22894273_10155151129606139_9149372140167230084_n.jpg?oh=af87ace884901a60c99a7aac4006043d&amp;oe=5AAEC62E"></p><p> From what I could tell after the tech showed me what happened I felt there was no way it should cost $1000 to repair this!&nbsp; We were so glad&nbsp; that they couldn’t get to the repairs as I feel sure I will be able to do this on my own for no additional cost (unless I have to replace the hose clamps). So, some friendly advice, is to pull your doghouse up and look under it to make sure none of the sharp edges of the wood is in contact with any part of the engine.</p><p><img width="386" height="217" alt="Image may contain: ocean, water, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22853463_10155151129666139_6454006412405501202_n.jpg?oh=5f3ea04e168a04d94b59a5b9692e0f12&amp;oe=5A9FBAE7"><img width="119" height="217" alt="Image may contain: ocean, outdoor, nature and water" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22886327_10155151134056139_970826192058717061_n.jpg?oh=49e27a4b6ab59433e2c74ce9e5d71b80&amp;oe=5AABE764"></p><p>Before we left Jacksonville I lifted our doghouse and contorted my body in such a way as to be able to saw off the offending piece of doghouse. It took about 10 minutes of time and Cummins was going to charge me $100 just for doing that! Next I went to Walmart and bought some self sealing silicone tape to use to temporarily patch the hose until we get to a location where I have time to actually replace it. <p><img width="258" height="145" alt="Image may contain: ocean, sky, bird, outdoor, water and nature" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22886127_10155151134236139_3469851305883830619_n.jpg?oh=e42bbe72938e256d87a882220b648418&amp;oe=5A684026"><img width="256" height="144" alt="Image may contain: sky and outdoor" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23031420_10155151134336139_6589747082582888261_n.jpg?oh=a36fa1a40f33dc1bb9f86862fdc9e144&amp;oe=5A686E8E"></p><p>The job of wrapping the hose with this silicone tape was not an easy task due to the tight working space under the doghouse. When I finished I also put on a piece of Gorilla tape to keep it secured. When we packed up to leave Jacksonville FL the motor was making no noise at first. However, after a few miles of travel it started whistling at a high pitch much to our chagrin. What happened was that the silicone tape was too narrow and small gaps were made between the wraps, thus the whistling as the air was being sucked past the tape. Groan. If it hadn’t been so hard to wrap I probably needed to wrap it more in multiple layers.<p><img width="389" height="219" alt="Image may contain: ocean, sky, outdoor and water" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23130485_10155151134281139_2945448384402714924_n.jpg?oh=3012ecae6138508b34ddc3a589d1d11a&amp;oe=5A670669"><img width="121" height="219" alt="Image may contain: ocean, drink, sky, water, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22852100_10111794858031834_8281042887227621373_n.jpg?oh=6e4e03cf412e42ffe0f3ac61990b4e5b&amp;oe=5A9E5675"></p><p>At the next rest stop I attacked it with more <a href="http://amzn.to/2zuqNi8">Gorilla Tape</a> which didn’t totally silence the whistle but made it bearable. Happily we drove on to our next stop near Flagler Beach at Gamble Rogers State Rec Area which is one of my favorite coastal parks. We were only there for two nights but we certainly enjoyed some beach time.. We also enjoyed a few happy hours at both the Funky Pelican with great views of the Flagler Beach Pier and the High Tides on the beach which we could actually walk to from our RV site! (Todays pictures are from that area)<p>So what lessons did I learn from our Cummins experience that I can pass on? <ul><li>ask for someone’s name and number who will be accountable for communicating about the work being done<li>after diagnosing the problem ask them to show specifically what the problem is and how it was diagnosed (you will pay a hefty diagnosis fee of $350 so I feel you should at least learn something from their work)<li>in our case if they were going to complete the work (quoted to us as at least $1000) I would have questioned the 5-6 hours of labor they were going to charge me for a job that I believe I can do in 2 hours or less – of course that remains to be seen if I can)<li>if you can do the work yourself after learning of the diagnosis tell them that you don’t need them to do the repairs and bank the money they would have charged.<li>as for my “patch” I would strongly suggest purchasing both 1<a href="http://amzn.to/2zunRBY">” Silicone Rubber Self Fusing Tape</a> and a wider <a href="http://amzn.to/2AesDkt">2” Silicone Rubber Self Fusing Tape</a> (I think a wider tape would have prevented the whistling we got in our patch job)<li>as part of our diagnosis, new heat shield insulation for the inside of the doghouse was ordered but did not arrive prior to our departure as promised. We paid for this and the staff was trying to charge us to ship it to our next location. However when we stood our ground they eventually did the right thing and shipped it as we requested at no additional charge.</li></ul><p>This <a href="http://amzn.to/2AesDkt">Silicone Rubber Self Fusing Tape</a> is a miracle product and can be used to repair hose leaks or even plumbing leaks with very little effort. I plan to have rolls of it in my RV and in my car as I can see this saving the day if I ever experience another leaking hose!!! Hopefully our experience will help other RVers who need to stop at a Cummins Service Center. Judging from a comment on our last blog, others have had some not so pleasant experiences....<p><em><b>NOTE: We are now near Mims Florida where we booked a weeklong stay… </b></em></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/3TP4eUA5CkU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com7http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/11/cummins-service-center-experience-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-73279960837345935442017-10-31T12:05:00.001-05:002017-10-31T12:05:39.960-05:00Sharon Talks About Her Mayo Visit and Our Cummins Service Center Experience (Part 2 of 2)…<p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EAkJL7-3GcU/WfitYGoSNtI/AAAAAAAAipw/tuqJLNYRPa8BUSCX9BcA0eninuEez6laQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B3%255D"><img width="550" height="311" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TjTyQFlEdHs/WfitYpMtVOI/AAAAAAAAip0/_2CYaQMPaN8LRSlyjj2etJM52-FxvEDtgCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Thursday was my birthday and I had no appointments that day, however the doctor I saw in dermatology called to say I needed to come back because the biopsy revealed that the place on my tummy was a squamous cell skin cancer (sigh, what a great present for my birthday) and would require removal. Amazingly he was able to schedule the treatment right before my wrap up appointment with internal medicine the very next day. This is the beauty of the Mayo Clinic...amazing.</p><p><img width="302" height="309" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline;" alt="Image may contain: tree, sky, plant, outdoor, nature and water" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23031481_10155146054221139_4701114900129349325_n.jpg?oh=9f282557f095a26c1b2b04587c6ba1c9&amp;oe=5A74BEA5">If only things went that easily at the Cummins Service Center. After reviewing the quote and researching, John felt like the service center was charging us way too much for the labor and he felt like he could really do the work himself. So on Friday morning we called to say we needed to pick up the parts. Of course this took several calls because only one person could talk to us about when to pick it up and his extension constantly went to voice mail and he would never return any of our calls. <p>When they finally called back, they said the parts were not there. Furthermore they weren't sure exactly when they would arrive (probably Monday, the day we plan to leave). After much back and forth both on Friday, they said one of our parts showed up, the replacement hose. We drove the 40 miles over before my final appointments only to find out it really was not there, a technician had driven downtown to get the hose but the insulation that we paid for would have to be shipped to us. <p><img width="291" height="164" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline;" alt="Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, tree, plant, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22815555_10155146054126139_8239692611371009043_n.jpg?oh=d7cc39c5c2cecc2c568475dbc7f14444&amp;oe=5A6B356B">After scrambling and arguing with them (because they wanted to charge us to ship the insulation even after they told us it would be there Thursday and we paid for it already along with a very steep diagnosis fee), we finally prevailed. (Only because John threatened to void the credit card transaction as a dispute and let them fight it out with the credit card company). Because of all this hassle we were cutting it very close to my appointment at the Mayo. I was very upset but alas it came in the nick of time for us to race to my appointment. It really shouldn't have been that stressful, though. The communication at this place was horrible and so we will have to wait for our repairs yet again.<p>At the wrap-up appointment I learned my x-rays revealed no real concerns other than "normal" wear and tear for my age and all my other tests were positive as well. So glad am I it is all done and we can get back to the business of having fun again...</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/pPbjthLeyWg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com14http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/10/sharon-talks-about-her-mayo-visit-and_31.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-55126503510294808242017-10-29T12:11:00.001-05:002017-10-29T12:11:13.936-05:00Sharon Talks About Her Mayo Visit and Our Cummins Service Center Experience (Part 1 of 2)…<p><img width="538" height="303" style="display: inline;" alt="Image may contain: ocean, sky, beach, outdoor, nature and water" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22729026_10155138711276139_1657039082351668393_n.jpg?oh=d57cae1573cace5c8a865415544f10b5&amp;oe=5AADE035"><p>After spending the night at Walkabout RV park, Monday morning we drove over to Jacksonville Cummins Service Center. John had previously made an appointment for Tuesday for diagnosis of our engine whooshing noise. The Service Center had back in electric and water sites so we checked in after hooking up. The technician said there was a possibility they could see us that afternoon so we dropped off our keys and took off in the car to do some grocery shopping. Upon our return we discovered they had been unable to get to our RV.<p><img width="256" height="144" style="display: inline;" alt="Image may contain: tree, sky, outdoor and nature" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22730186_10155138711101139_7019232708323321496_n.jpg?oh=9ceae4c7a38bc87529be9a1202eb7345&amp;oe=5A736A6D"><img width="260" height="146" style="display: inline;" alt="Image may contain: tree and outdoor" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22730245_10155138711676139_4623685795874725490_n.jpg?oh=6a27e207871bbb2bd1a7f048011ecb84&amp;oe=5A6AA49C"></p><p>On Tuesday we again left Cummins our keys and left early in the morning to begin my scheduled visits at the Mayo Clinic for a full physical. First came a consultation with Internal Medicine then downstairs for bloodwork and Urine sample. Next was a flu shot for us both then my mammogram. </p><p><img width="307" height="173" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline;" alt="Image may contain: text" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22729119_10155138720086139_6047641693969691264_n.jpg?oh=02ca1c8395f1eb994b1421b4a3a0f912&amp;oe=5A697641">Lastly I visited dermatology where the doctor did a biopsy on a suspicious spot on my tummy. He also found some precancerous areas on my lower lip and prescribed a chemo cream for me to use twice a day for two weeks. He warned this would be an unpleasant but necessary treatment. He also recommended a <a href="http://amzn.to/2idvDVZ">lip protectant sunscreen, Vanicream</a>, for me to use from now on as prevention. He also recommended using <a href="http://amzn.to/2zhD7Cq">Vanicream sunscreen</a> but he did say the one we get at Trader Joes is just as good. So it was off to the store we went to buy some lip cream. Thus ended our first day. Meanwhile we kept expecting a call from the service center with our diagnosis. John left several messages but we never got a call. </p><p><img width="225" height="405" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline;" alt="Image may contain: drink" src="https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22853331_10155140945746139_5563188976631199789_n.jpg?oh=edcf1c1d84b0d6f07def5fa637befea4&amp;oe=5AB039F9">Upon returning to the center, the technician explained our problem was a hole in an intake hose caused by an overhang of wood from our "dog cage housing" rubbing a hole in it over time. They also indicated we should redo the insulation which had fallen out near the engine. We paid for the diagnosis and the parts. Parts were ordered and were expected to arrive on Thursday. We debated staying at the service center and cancelling our reserved stay at Hanna Park but both of us really love the park so we just decided we would just schedule the RV repair the following Thursday, Friday or Monday around my appointments once the parts arrived.<p>The next day had me going in for bone density, an EEG and some x-rays of my back because I had suffered a back strain earlier this year and although it was getting better, the doctor wanted me to have x-rays to rule out a fracture. Next I had a gynecology exam appointment ending another day of appointments. John found a Groupon at Mello Mushroom so we had pizza and beer in the Avondale neighborhood. It was a very nice end to a long day fighting traffic and going to appointments.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/q2LcDd1ppMo" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com9http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/10/sharon-talks-about-her-mayo-visit-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-19450850767743855272017-10-26T07:49:00.001-05:002017-10-26T07:49:38.802-05:00Ft Frederica, Jekyll Island and St Simons Island GA…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w-whP8IQu84/WfHZaplMJbI/AAAAAAAAinU/9zmilLZQMfEM2urhMEcsIkQ3qd-w7TIYACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9588%255B4%255D"><img width="554" height="416" title="DSCN9588" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9588" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3cAg_2gUn80/WfHZbaKkneI/AAAAAAAAinY/T6fhH6YkDR0wvfs_ln9LcWHi9DbmVq8TwCHMYCw/DSCN9588_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We left the Charleston SC area and continued southward for a little over 160 miles. We originally planned to stop for a few days near Savannah Georgia which is one of our favorite southern cities but we were unable to locate any available site close by so we continued on to our next location in Brunswick Georgia. After about three hours we pulled into Golden Isles RV Park, a Passport America park.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7LQAUXtGnR4/WfHZbwT5pTI/AAAAAAAAinc/eVDlY0yDuyQzMIIwHrOyuYNIYbHPpCPSACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9579%255B5%255D"><img width="312" height="267" title="DSCN9579" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9579" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E63l2PdJfhE/WfHZcZCufGI/AAAAAAAAing/ReAd2kF9Y_w4lGs3OkgcZ9g31CD541PfQCHMYCw/DSCN9579_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-64HngDeWzmU/WfHZczZZpMI/AAAAAAAAink/G8nO88CV0skZYBEnr_VALnfbcDR3jvt8ACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9605%255B5%255D"><img width="203" height="269" title="DSCN9605" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9605" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nhoMho6iU1c/WfHZdoVAZ_I/AAAAAAAAino/A6ISYF_1_RM0_Qe2nvcZybWrhfWkOUVvgCHMYCw/DSCN9605_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Golden Isles RV Park is not all that pretty but it is certainly a great location to visit the Golden Isles area. We did encounter a power issue with our pedestal as it was dropping one leg on the 50 amp circuit. Rather than move we chose to go ahead and only use the 30 amp circuit. Minor problems like this happen now and again as we travel around the USA.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--pn8SQqWDws/WfHZeXLrP5I/AAAAAAAAins/MN7kMEjC8ikf3F-VPvDuuAOgaE1_W1SJQCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9585%255B6%255D"><img width="286" height="216" title="DSCN9585" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9585" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sOpe0qcldeI/WfHZgmmGEFI/AAAAAAAAinw/V1iUshGJW9Q6ctSknexrilz1AcmwCA9LwCHMYCw/DSCN9585_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HQmffvEaLd8/WfHZhN4Pr2I/AAAAAAAAin0/8WLgumzezE4TJ1LfpurTPu0RIUSeG0N_QCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9594%255B5%255D"><img width="224" height="219" title="DSCN9594" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9594" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WmrjWgNmTPw/WfHZhuyb1xI/AAAAAAAAin4/LFviluHJlU0OE0-GLPg231_ZB6iY2ZoVQCHMYCw/DSCN9594_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Our first stop was to revisit St. Simon’s Island. We have been to it before but this time we explored the National Historic site of Fort Fredericka. It was is a neat stop with an interesting walk on the grounds where the fort once was. One interesting thing here was the abundance of Palm Warblers! There were remnants of a few buildings and bunkers as well as lots of informative plaques explaining the history.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m7E7BYRnQQI/WfHZiTKIGHI/AAAAAAAAin8/eC-zoyxx2j4pNHlvLzvUdRRHZM-bkEg4QCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9602%255B4%255D"><img width="237" height="232" title="DSCN9602" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9602" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V-Y1YF6SUPI/WfHZjGQyEhI/AAAAAAAAioA/GTxX5rjcToYF2TrI_JXAeOuKVNywvpHCQCHMYCw/DSCN9602_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YOA8jCsDbls/WfHZjcruHrI/AAAAAAAAioE/jJ5AqnXMrEoxjxWdRCLg1S7k09JEC8WyQCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9593%255B4%255D"><img width="273" height="230" title="DSCN9593" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9593" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h_6EDSs1pVk/WfHZj0XoNvI/AAAAAAAAioI/srIAKHsUju4GaWzm9VyT7Qi9LCozFkfGACHMYCw/DSCN9593_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>My favorite part of the history described on the plaques was the inclusion of quotes taken from journals and letters of those who lived there at the time. It really gave us a feel for what life was like for these people back them…</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rpzqSG6_Vtg/WfHZkZPq99I/AAAAAAAAioM/7WL1OlhLug40tv0CzrlOmBfS0AvCRNLiACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9592%255B5%255D"><img width="295" height="187" title="DSCN9592" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9592" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RCw5Py78UO4/WfHZk4kwznI/AAAAAAAAioQ/H6q3roW5jhg4nX4iQUVNCp2NXoRVP9ZFwCHMYCw/DSCN9592_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AjcdBruD8Ng/WfHZlZ3exbI/AAAAAAAAioU/rP6hPDbg40oV4JrR0uhpAc4A6SFM9tBPACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9596%255B5%255D"><img width="217" height="186" title="DSCN9596" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9596" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wYpogIB5EOE/WfHZnYbk9eI/AAAAAAAAioY/c28FbBx-CNItipprldYh1B6m3CqTkYP-ACHMYCw/DSCN9596_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We also took a day to revisit Jekyll Island over to our favorite beach containing lots of picturesque dead trees which beach erosion left behind. It made for some dramatic backdrops and has been a very popular place for couples to get married. However, once we parked near the beach and started hiking to the shoreline it became very obvious that Irma had visited before us and left a path of destruction behind.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UsTzLEN3pXs/WfHZoNRVakI/AAAAAAAAioc/DCTHZW9tCy0zAnr0e2sSp6z34tOhrXyGACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9631%255B5%255D"><img width="260" height="196" title="DSCN9631" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9631" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1OvIvIESBhY/WfHZosQID9I/AAAAAAAAiog/LgosND4WBjkvpDhV8oWGgZ3aoxAWF7kkACHMYCw/DSCN9631_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dpO3keCryGQ/WfHZpHklPeI/AAAAAAAAiok/yPeLhgMeYNsnHR8-1vnMlvfLHXmJkgC-QCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9627%255B5%255D"><img width="256" height="193" title="DSCN9627" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9627" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oVrvA8vOQJo/WfHZpvhHuwI/AAAAAAAAioo/4s4yt_xxjyQNONf2iiznKzihT3swU99wgCHMYCw/DSCN9627_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>The beaches of Jekyll Island lost lots of sand and beach erosion took its toll on the old dead stately trees that once adorned the coastline. Hurricane Irma then left behind the old rip rap which the sand once covered and ton of newly killed trees mostly toppled by the destructive forces of the hurricane. Evidently someone was still getting married as there were chairs set up by one of the few remaining older dead trees. I am sure it was planned well before Irma but the bride and groom decided to still get married there,<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OvntLNm2OAM/WfHZvq4bDyI/AAAAAAAAios/aN6STj3Rgtc4ELN9q2Wl-LhUq1MdqENZACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9622%255B5%255D"><img width="289" height="187" title="DSCN9622" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9622" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1CIelnzzlv0/WfHZwAYSlNI/AAAAAAAAiow/cwyn5P_m3gYqztUCh74q7hl8E5GHkgnPwCHMYCw/DSCN9622_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-608t9DRA3gY/WfHZwlePmMI/AAAAAAAAio0/-w9_IzK5ikov-YfrjRobTYYFf2AsExcZwCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9624%255B4%255D"><img width="222" height="192" title="DSCN9624" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9624" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QXJh0okzTLM/WfHZxT80nNI/AAAAAAAAio4/fL8Yx1U8uBoNL-2cObUhkr4JHrY9fSU_QCHMYCw/DSCN9624_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>On the way back to the RV we drove through the historic side of the Island and walked around the grounds there. There are some really beautiful buildings here and there were a couple of wedding receptions that were being planned here as well. We also visited the historic town of Brunswick, Georgia which is slowly becoming revitalized. It is becoming quite a nice little downtown area. In town we came across a quirky local’s hangout called Tipsy McSway's where we enjoyed a couple of great happy hours.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i2baFPpieB4/WfHZyEzI8RI/AAAAAAAAio8/ozQ0AMuqDXU-a8KBiUyEPGO5Q_a_FHCnACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9637%255B3%255D"><img width="184" height="244" title="DSCN9637" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9637" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lbXjO9xWgL8/WfHZy7xvZHI/AAAAAAAAipA/3nB_oiaJZOkYQV6KgkKbyOaWK47HiI_IQCHMYCw/DSCN9637_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-29M-uOgbvQo/WfHZzcv6nHI/AAAAAAAAipE/FXd5tHNoCPUis9-TSHACEobW4kCjx_CdgCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9634%255B4%255D"><img width="323" height="243" title="DSCN9634" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9634" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2-vgL8aodXQ/WfHZzz1CEKI/AAAAAAAAipI/vMrcAr7AWQ8APUsUQu8tmA_OnF32xjFEwCHMYCw/DSCN9634_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>I have a little more to blog about about a last days in Georgia. Then up next will be one overnight stay about 20 miles south of here and then on to Jacksonville Florida to have our engine noise diagnosed… We sure hope it isn’t anything serious!<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y3DiTZLMF7Y/WfHZ0h4ULrI/AAAAAAAAipM/0K3H8FpXxgsXqMTc78v2R5RQ8JRZJeBwgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B14%255D"><img width="173" height="311" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DJlStopO9qQ/WfHZ2Da3nlI/AAAAAAAAipQ/92qx5-NH56QEztFeBJiMhPFPAFiaWyDWQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4ldYvKDWosA/WfHZ2-qxs9I/AAAAAAAAipU/3ElfJkwX-7kvyk_AwktHWS-c5xvy0RUqQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B13%255D"><img width="175" height="313" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zswrKTDQmPc/WfHZ3aH9R5I/AAAAAAAAipY/KIbevqG8Nxw02d1YKsOMboiibBCxx9ukQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pdoCVEJrCdg/WfHZ3zDf51I/AAAAAAAAipc/r-3KI9PWVnQkUHDDA4nojXk_vASC6k2tQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B12%255D"><img width="138" height="316" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2VJXyT-f9Xk/WfHZ4UUFFgI/AAAAAAAAipg/puH8nTWZ1sAPQz1XH73VDRA98jQ1LI39QCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p><em><b>NOTE: We left the Brunswick Georgia and stayed one night at Walkabout Campground before moving on down to Jacksonville Florida to have the RV serviced…</b></em><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/s2FADmZ6zGc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com1http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/10/ft-frederica-jekyll-island-and-st.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-86725814884174664582017-10-23T07:02:00.001-05:002017-10-23T07:02:14.873-05:00Urban Hiking Around Charleston SC…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vxKjR3bQVJw/We3Z1XOLXuI/AAAAAAAAilc/Inr3MgT2eQMEXBs9-RXzM2lcKI9TpqFUwCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9573%255B4%255D"><img width="550" height="348" title="DSCN9573" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9573" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-msdfv4n0RLc/We3Z2M5aQgI/AAAAAAAAilg/vuc_4t16M3YEKdHobHjB1lFR4Wzx-LoPACHMYCw/DSCN9573_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We sure enjoyed our first visit to the Carolina Beach area of North Carolina. However, it was time to move further south with Charleston SC to be our next destination. Finding it difficult to locate accommodations in the area we finally found availability at <a href="http://www.passport-america.com/Campgrounds/CampgroundDetails.aspx?CampgroundId=1475">Wishing Well Campground</a> in Sunset Beach, NC. It is not the nicest park but certainly an okay stop for us to visit this area again.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bGixJP8DV7Y/We3Z4CEx4aI/AAAAAAAAilk/oLlzxtnkQ0UGE62t4j6LatgPFXfDj8BDACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B13%255D"><img width="142" height="255" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-neHdbc-tWuk/We3Z4pGPuaI/AAAAAAAAilo/UbYaONhuohYO2ZQxzXDTz0-bJjxGOoIcQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rJ9-UMU1ZTk/We3Z5c_Zq_I/AAAAAAAAils/gTGr2RTJCAcisMuGXhhHR3un_0fFTyFOgCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9561%255B6%255D"><img width="372" height="258" title="DSCN9561" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9561" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XCyXcF_FajE/We3Z5zZVniI/AAAAAAAAilw/DvK4Kw69cOcUjN_weLzt0z5WHSn_TP3OwCHMYCw/DSCN9561_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Our first day was spent mostly trying to locate a 25 amp slo-blo 125 volt fuse. Why did we need such a specialized fuse? Well when we went to bring in our slide not too long ago it wouldn’t come in. I did my best to troubleshoot and finally determined that it must be a fuse somewhere…. but where? <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oBUihufmiGY/We3Z9Qb9_QI/AAAAAAAAil0/E7ncLJYPnR0UzCIYJ_ZEERX0qkL6w3hjQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B5%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Ca3XSPjW8g/We3Z-P0MTxI/AAAAAAAAil4/_ezewexApp8F49TXP12ag1GAeG2Ggbl2ACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BbofNyURMiQ/We3aBuL1myI/AAAAAAAAil8/Mva2otl8rIAjl9QIGT7d2saK6w4CWBdeQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B8%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HmohV7bJqmE/We3aCOJYpwI/AAAAAAAAimA/eUOXykiQvLcAbXiKs5IIyGlziph0UrtwACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>I made a quick call to the service center in Red Bay Alabama and a nice fellow working at Tiffin Motorhomes told me exactly where to look for the likely culprit – a ceramic slo-blo fuse. He told me I could use any 20 amp or higher fuse and it would bring the slide in but I needed to replace it soon otherwise I would be going through a lot of 20 amp glass fuses. At least I had one of those so we were able to retract the slide and move on.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SzbaXoxMYwg/We3aC6Ji6uI/AAAAAAAAimE/BMSmT8kqAAAEgYgUTUG3mcfglfyawd_JQCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9572%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="DSCN9572" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9572" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CO8yRAsi64Y/We3aDUXJEvI/AAAAAAAAimI/8uo9D70fxgkoJuqTj8WQCu9qKTzsumlvACHMYCw/DSCN9572_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fMYpsSkkEek/We3aECyQEBI/AAAAAAAAimM/ZFqEDWwCQd8sFvKrDf6QL8auEXtND5E9ACHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9571%255B5%255D"><img width="272" height="138" title="DSCN9571" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9571" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FSSar7W93bY/We3aEspBHzI/AAAAAAAAimQ/W1aUoq_lemwUOB4TVfXP3S2qEvEwktLdQCHMYCw/DSCN9571_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>As soon as we could we went to Camping World (two of them) and neither one carried the fuse. We had already blown through three 20 amp glass fuses so I needed to find one fast. After again trying to find one in North Charleston and near us we finally gave up deciding we would just wait to look for it at our next destination. We were then free to explore so we drove to downtown Charleston SC.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UgandNNxkc8/We3aIR4_67I/AAAAAAAAimU/jfLhBRUELIMwGQLSEofKkvRoUtFh9ZKSQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B14%255D"><img width="124" height="273" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h8b7kSwBrMg/We3aJBznz0I/AAAAAAAAimY/DxfeyVRS-DY0yiB30KUNO3qcrgME25tCACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tzMpoXuWKfk/We3aKIxuKuI/AAAAAAAAimc/uZeBRhvjmy4nrjARE5jJkLScaWqerXt4QCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9564%255B4%255D"><img width="368" height="277" title="DSCN9564" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9564" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-91BrNKG5NOA/We3aKlyRcxI/AAAAAAAAimg/UaA4G8SDnqMvRcdQTvPuetkngvyHy3tAACHMYCw/DSCN9564_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We have toured Charleston a few times before but have always loved this historic and charming southern city. We scored some free parking near the ferry to the National Historic Site of Fort Sumter. We checked out the visitor’s center but opted to not take the ferry over to the fort. We decided instead to walk across central Charleston then come back along the waterfront. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hWCBp5tEEEM/We3aLD8gExI/AAAAAAAAimk/riG5jGXgYd0yFgoUy7D9hm_PlMM-At8MQCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9567%255B4%255D"><img width="230" height="305" title="DSCN9567" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9567" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KF3rPzRQZR4/We3aLxVYKSI/AAAAAAAAimo/ZobB7lgRFPUUO1t7o2zClJ-GYU7G4ZcAQCHMYCw/DSCN9567_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q3d3SUtP68c/We3aM-eBYnI/AAAAAAAAims/wGhKyRv9dlQjLnHUQ8P5gSSAuZRtIEP_wCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9568%255B4%255D"><img width="284" height="304" title="DSCN9568" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9568" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1_QkzX9j1DQ/We3aNMAMVwI/AAAAAAAAimw/DisGZs0N3vw0TMAnHJWk_X55gKOOIRUSQCHMYCw/DSCN9568_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Fourteen thousand steps later we had taken in all the sights which downtown Charleston had to offer. I love, love, love the architecture in this town.So many beautiful homes have been restored in most cases to what they once were in the 1800’s. Our stroll down Broad Street, along Murray Blvd, .then up to the Waterfront Park and the maritime Center was delightful indeed. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IN_-YMKBisc/We3aOnbi33I/AAAAAAAAim0/D6XtqGbVaOwoC4VBBs4oqvocQI0ABJinQCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9570%255B4%255D"><img width="261" height="197" title="" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Km6tbNTR2Nc/We3aPh_1lZI/AAAAAAAAim4/sDV1Msqq5VMk3WAqeXBgHVUoP7Jt04WYwCHMYCw/DSCN9570_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8-hYNLTHKyo/We3aRLslpqI/AAAAAAAAim8/jdpcJje7g2oIQ-qOOgtoVtqbGqn8EuRpgCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9577%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="196" title="DSCN9577" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9577" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tD8lww3pVis/We3aRRfI7ZI/AAAAAAAAinA/DvYiTvuivMwO_AFsWMd7qZ7WbAz89fM1QCHMYCw/DSCN9577_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Just as we were returning to our car we saw an Ace Hardware store where we thought why not stop on the off chance they had our odd fuse. Whaddya know! They indeed had it so we happily paid three whole dollars for the fuse elated at the serendipity of happening upon it so unexpectedly! We decided to finish our long trek at a local watering hole to celebrate our great day before returning home to pack for our move further south…<p><strong><em>NOTE: We left the Charleston area and stayed a few days in southeastern Georgia but are now in Jacksonville Florida to have the RV serviced…</em></strong><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/gE42HHV7s2I" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com14http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/10/urban-hiking-around-charleston-sc.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-36540082470885397602017-10-18T19:16:00.001-05:002017-10-21T11:36:56.730-05:00Carolina Beach Last Day and Shrimp Fest in Little River SC…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CZ9NJrS576w/WefsKPdJCWI/AAAAAAAAij0/mzq5Z5GPoacCcpK0UTLDpJCFnMcoUPSBQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B31%255D"><img width="554" height="258" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GttLFL67c64/WefsclegVzI/AAAAAAAAij4/Og9VBdzL6IMmuNLtz-JFrSXcio3omxI3wCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B10%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Our last day at Carolina Beach we walked over to a nearby Brewery to play their 9 hole disc golf course. It was a nice short course which we played twice and of course it had the added benefit of&nbsp; the ability to stop at the brewery for an after golf treat. To end our stay we drove over to Carolina Beach to have a beer an an eclectic dive bar called The <a href="http://thefatpelican.com/history/">Fat Pelican</a>.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uTB3y3FrZPE/WeftSjKgG-I/AAAAAAAAikE/tqevw-j_ZMogQN738IfX_Fezw6HAL97BwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B34%255D"><img width="123" height="221" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z9Gyu0IE_WA/WeftU1YMdTI/AAAAAAAAikI/ttO89mTzh5oOexcn-1eXxKrEwyZSF502gCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B13%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0Xoy87TLrDQ/WeftpRGQCBI/AAAAAAAAikM/zf_gmQeKCr8ucV7scrStRB1EVwWd2-27gCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B32%255D"><img width="390" height="221" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jwn8CIEFlvw/Weftre9EeWI/AAAAAAAAikQ/kxWMAzzV6eURGoJ1cBy6NPpo6_Tt1hq5ACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><br><p>It is a quirky dive bar with an 18 wheeler refrigerated truck attached to it.&nbsp; Patrons go past the bar upon entering to walk up and into the truck to pick from over 400 bottled beers.&nbsp; Once the beer is selected, it is opened and paid for at the bar.&nbsp; This bar is chocked full of funny signs and beachy knick knacks. We found an outdoor area with cornhole boards and ended our day chatting with a very nice fellow in town on business from Richmond, Va.&nbsp; </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v9OSooE0Sbw/WefttJ2Ob5I/AAAAAAAAikU/G8_XcOsbaEEgMA9zqkIWL2KMgIPEyQ3SgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B41%255D"><img width="331" height="200" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-by7Mfq4TWVo/Weftvx1vKwI/AAAAAAAAikY/8Vtiq9tdeJoXezLcYFYkHslt-hZGAwY9gCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B20%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H1KAzI4M_x0/Weft3EUFVcI/AAAAAAAAikg/RXgCo1GU0mgHcT8ifCS9fW207HdFBPtagCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B39%255D"><img width="174" height="203" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2IrPDy-jSdE/WefuA2XT7GI/AAAAAAAAikk/WUJoPvVDfw4XjU9ksgjpm9kkO8cbDwmSgCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B18%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>The next morning we headed south through Myrtle Beach and Charleston SC to our next stop at <a href="http://www.passport-america.com/Campgrounds/CampgroundDetails.aspx?CampgroundId=1475">Wishing Well Campground</a> in Sunset Beach, NC. It was a small mom and pop Passport America park where we stayed 3 nights. The location is just south of Myrtle Beach so we were able to explore the area a bit before moving further south. <p>Before going to our overnight accommodations we stopped at Black's Tire and Service center. As I mentioned before we had a Goodyear G670 RV tire shipped there from the website Simpletire.com. I elected after calling for some quotes to use then because they sell tires cheap!!! I bought the tire online for hundreds of dollars less that what I had been quoted ($970 installed). Black's came highly recommended and when I called to verify that morning, sure enough my tire was there.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0QVi_zl6uCU/WefupqtyhYI/AAAAAAAAikw/P1-wByxiuxYBhxDTXzSSJNdeiNNz0gLlwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B42%255D"><img width="429" height="243" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fab0M5JvXL4/Wefuvy4ov_I/AAAAAAAAik0/CRd_XAGg2Ck1WiGO3r6y_Ds-T4nl34SbQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B21%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FVqeqY4mTNM/Wefu1brKmjI/AAAAAAAAik4/hZ1QPknEydgGae1GNmlm3no5vx5VXpo5wCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B5%255D"><img width="64" height="244" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rme96geufA0/Wefu2_faTwI/AAAAAAAAik8/ZEMnaR8IQWovWYAhXSS5pijH7gCOjl2HwCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We pulled around to an outside bay as instructed and didn’t even have to unhitch the CRV. They replaced our tire with the newly balanced one in less than an hour. Our total bill for removal of old tire, balancing and installation of new tire was under $60. My total savings by doing everything myself was more than $300. Yep, I will surely do this again for our next set of tires!!!<p>After setting up in Wishing Well campground the day was pretty shot so we spent a quiet day at home. The next day we drove into Myrtle Beach to check out the beaches from South Myrtle Beach to North Myrtle Beach. It is always nice to spend some time on the beach listening to the waves crash in…<p>Our last bit of excitement was attending the Shrimp Fest in Little River SC. The main reason I wanted to attend it was there was a Zydeco band named Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas playing. The fest itself was mostly just a bunch of vendors but the music we heard for a measly $5 admission was fantastic.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sSyhMRmh2O4/Wefu4t2uhbI/AAAAAAAAilA/5k6UyGn06ooD0mqlHq1WKuZ5_FptsNO2gCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171014_135648%255B3%255D"><img width="139" height="244" title="20171014_135648" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171014_135648" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M_IIreXEm6c/Wefu6etcrWI/AAAAAAAAilE/P0B416-Gr744drfXS3KnK4HqzBz105nZwCHMYCw/20171014_135648_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c2FdnjiLlGA/Wefu7uZ_xnI/AAAAAAAAilI/g63uKButPZE0VS3XAseHZKUq_2qYrReEwCHMYCw/s1600-h/20171014_153256%255B4%255D"><img width="360" height="244" title="20171014_153256" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="20171014_153256" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bxVuk9spSH0/Wefu8gcdr6I/AAAAAAAAilM/x4V9LYCt5ughEue4ce0e7UtrDeLAPhGHgCHMYCw/20171014_153256_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>First we heard a solo one man band dude who explained to the crowd that he had spent a lot of time in volunteering with his wife in Africa.He wrote and sang songs raising money for the people of Africa. <a href="http://www.brianernstmusic.com/bio.html">Brian Ernst</a> was pretty amazing and has an interesting story! The next band we head was a brass band called <a href="http://empirestrikesbrass.com/">The Empire Strikes Brass.</a> They were a very eclectic band that mostly resembled the band Chicago but had elements of Country and Western and even Hip Hop making for a very entertaining afternoon.<p>However, the cream of the crop was indeed <a href="http://zydecochachas.com/">Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas</a>. The place was up and dancing by the third song as Zydeco so often makes even the person who doesn’t like to dance (like me)… well, dance!!!! The mixture of sounds from the lead, the squeezebox, spoons and keyboards had everyone in the audience moving and gyrating. What a fantastic ending to our stay before moving on…<p><strong><em>NOTE: We are now south of Charleston but leave on Thursday to head to Brunswick Georgia for three nights.</em></strong><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/5Vy9i3NcjRc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com3http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/10/carolina-beach-last-day-and-shrimp-fest.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-23070720177165580032017-10-14T11:17:00.001-05:002017-10-14T11:17:16.810-05:00Exploring Wilmington and Carolina Beach NC…<p>While at <a href="https://www.ncparks.gov/carolina-beach-state-park">Carolina Beach State Park</a> I was notified the tires for our Honda CRV were delivered to Florida and the tire for our RV was delivered to North Carolina. Now all I have to do is set up both installation appointments. I also still need to make an appointment with Cummins folks in Jacksonville to address the engine noise. All in due time…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-El7B-3VAaqs/WeI1f0nnZHI/AAAAAAAAih0/N8vZBDfYQpQ3cEeCQMq2uD7WGrJXDbtRQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NQyasZMxVq8/WeI1i92ddLI/AAAAAAAAih4/Ie7uF_odSpQygyTShBPu25amSGSukylQQCHMYCw/image_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_FTuUSsEYMc/WeI12Zq4sgI/AAAAAAAAih8/i8BbPlrV568T8HO11bcK9GoRE_phH08mgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B5%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AsTM3gztqjs/WeI14JaDWAI/AAAAAAAAiiA/Fz1Uyzg9UFATuxY_T4YCfZatmXiVhHg9QCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We sure are enjoying our stay at Carolina Beach State Park. This park is fantastic given our nice site and all the available hiking within the park. We take a walk around the park exploring different areas each morning and then in the afternoon we have gone outside the park to see what greater Wilmington has to offer.. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3DeFegK3gKk/WeI2N96psUI/AAAAAAAAiiI/qbggoST2DoANLWiTKrAHBA4_py8C4BEUgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B11%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yGLPGKZ5Up8/WeI2SUSN-oI/AAAAAAAAiiM/jA10rPKH4xs-AwWI2JK8rZCpjveLKfCOwCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0P3QkwcfSOU/WeI2q9MO_-I/AAAAAAAAiiQ/0daNSs6QTcsFepK6MP52I1llSx9iyIRcwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B17%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VheppwyTL1k/WeI2vMAUBII/AAAAAAAAiiU/fpSrOTK7B5MVnU5yxA42IaXWHBKoWoaggCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>&nbsp;<p>One afternoon we drove over to historic downtown Wilmington NC for an urban stroll. This part of Wilmington is really quite interesting. There is quite a variation in the styles of architecture in town.&nbsp; There is also a neat section along the Cape Fear River which has a riverfront boardwalk with restaurants and taverns offering outdoor seating for patrons to take in the scenery and to watch the evening sunset. We ended the day at <a href="http://www.frontstreetbrewery.com/">Front Street Brewery</a> in downtown Wilmington for a brewery tour and their happy hour of fine craft beer and half price appetizers.What a great vibe this brewery has!<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YQC2hd5t_xg/WeI3SK8YE0I/AAAAAAAAiig/PLWDyc6wQ-UjBx1p_2_IYCxWVzQrGC45ACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B14%255D"><img width="136" height="244" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-usiVVOiuGNU/WeI3TvYwlMI/AAAAAAAAiio/wnhzWPIb0KQgM_5A8A1C2kt-nPVaWsFpgCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2cZqiE6FyaE/WeI3jW4OGaI/AAAAAAAAiis/ixYlpITUtxgdZFvkl9E7fcUWTRAOhsyoQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B20%255D"><img width="183" height="244" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Yh_JGVNlck/WeI3mrEPxWI/AAAAAAAAiiw/TzSQBM8bYe0OvXeZYzRGHN7GrbIRs0KWwCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VT5pgY2UIa0/WeI3s9_PpeI/AAAAAAAAii0/3Q04Cho6V-gFyxvcbyttAPMmegKr46sFgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B23%255D"><img width="136" height="244" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P3FiMeiPCGQ/WeI3v5nosxI/AAAAAAAAii4/XcgQJm-VSBcopb024vgHMZG5CX7seC98gCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Another day we explored <a href="http://www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/fisher.htm">Fort Parker</a> at the southern end of the peninsula we are staying on. Fort Parker is a National Historic Site and there is a small visitors center with a museum of wartime artifacts. It is interesting to walk around the remnants of the hand built Civil War bunkered fort while reminiscing what life might have been like for those who were here in the 1800’s. We ended this day at <a href="http://www.kbjacks.com/">Kickback Jacks</a> for their happy hour which included 1/2 pound cheeseburgers with hand cut fries for only $5!!! It was delicious!<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8fMdgJ3Ki9E/WeI362tYgWI/AAAAAAAAijA/ZDVamD0jEwccWIIi5ARof36yCdiFGltyACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B26%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-geYgmlDgW5s/WeI37xxMXpI/AAAAAAAAijE/bD_2UcAE3m4EqH3VaWUg5Lm8IY2KR807gCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-syRy6SQVcHU/WeI4ZcdK-3I/AAAAAAAAijM/v31KWxaSam0aWmlb-9c_HR9oYJcRD7JXACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B32%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dShW4MavkAg/WeI4dD3VarI/AAAAAAAAijU/CqvsbadqzDww1_H8EUlOhQr1hh-PrZjXQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B10%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>On one of last few days we spent time at the beaches nearby. The beaches here are nice but the communities decided to charge for parking anywhere visitors would want to stop and look at the beach. Two fifty an hour for parking is a bit high in my opinion but we were finally able to explore a few beaches by seeking out some free parking a short distance away.&nbsp; Kure Beach on the southern end had free parking near the waterfront so we feel it is the easiest and best one to visit when in the area. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7P2rjqAAmN8/WeI4g2cTNqI/AAAAAAAAijY/3cHJio7S-Y4YGpZB7U-RKsP0AEKTPE2rQCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9487%255B4%255D"><img width="277" height="209" title="DSCN9486" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9486" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Eb6qqgE8PNU/WeI4hae9zuI/AAAAAAAAijc/Mc60sLtVzf4BeY7YTYiQnp7CjGi-1B3UACHMYCw/DSCN9486_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"><img width="230" height="208" title="DSCN9487" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9487" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o50rQehg5ns/WeI4iU0R2KI/AAAAAAAAijg/c0glAMD2EdMT8h0qKe2yV40L-2R44I7zACHMYCw/DSCN9487_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>One more day in Carolina Beach then off to get a new tire on the RV if all goes well…</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/Hs1h0m1HT0Y" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com4http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/10/exploring-wilmington-and-carolina-beach.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-81493625107784240932017-10-11T06:56:00.001-05:002017-10-11T06:56:26.197-05:00Trials,Tribulations and Logistics…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qsfqeBUqcbE/Wd4G3Ye6rtI/AAAAAAAAihQ/KgWQ7x6A46MoQv040LG7FWTGCzohaaILgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B8%255D"><img width="353" height="200" title="image" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VesEEgG7qQM/Wd4G4JJzjjI/AAAAAAAAihU/xeG_mxEHopEkogb244LSRF2fymWGC24-QCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>We had fun in Raleigh NC during our last weekend with Katie and Brooks We watched some great football games, consumed delicious food and enjoyed each others company.Sharon and Katie visited a bridal boutique once again so Katie could try on a few gowns. She still hasn't found THE dress but is having fun shopping.&nbsp; Our last day there we all went over to Deep River Brewing where we enjoyed a few nice craft beers along with some Longleaf Swine BBQ from the food truck on premises. We also were able to meet some of Katie and Brooks' friends which was a treat.&nbsp; It was a great sendoff for us as we must continue our migration south.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e0PVLSjLCTE/Wd4G4nKAgXI/AAAAAAAAihY/_0NTwAzDP9wrx-oKb_s89QoF-O-SVkAcgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B11%255D"><img width="139" height="244" title="image" align="left" style="margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e9R-CG1Djbg/Wd4G5A2rcYI/AAAAAAAAihc/qCvIYGWaM4g-Y9OqQdLBKpjKfFjNEWSCQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Monday morning we packed up and left Jordan Lake State Park on a drizzly morning. With the roads being wet I decided to take the boring Interstate 40 route instead of the preferred back road route. As a result we had to drive through southern Raleigh NC which as you can imagine was not fun because it seems to always be under construction and constantly loaded with traffic. <p>We left the traffic in Raleigh only to be greeted with heavy traffic in Wilmington NC some 165 miles later. We again endured the congestion in Wilmington and pulled into a large, beautiful site in Carolina Beach State Park. The reviews of this area were spot on educating us about setting up first then checking in at the Marina. We are so gad we heeded that advice as it could have been tight trying to turn around a big rig with a tow car in the boat lot beside the marina..<p>We will be in Carolina Beach NC for four nights as I need time to set up a lot of appointments for service on both the CRV and the RV. The logistics of setting up appointments, ordering tires and trying to get to the service centers on time as well as setting up campground reservations has been taxing. As of now I have a pair of Michelin Defender tires heading from a Maryland Costco to a Jacksonville Florida Costco to be installed on our CRV. We had to replace the back two a few months ago and needed to get the same tires for the front.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cuhTgZ26e24/Wd4G5klMxaI/AAAAAAAAihg/93QjLy42bjoia1DvfrnkpruwhWwlaeDywCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B7%255D"><img width="192" height="343" title="image" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ils0FyAIHXo/Wd4G6M-lY1I/AAAAAAAAihk/2zR6NKmpq0MMI62rRHx6CYYnXYI_OTajgCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Also we have been in need of a Goodyear G670 for our front-passenger side of our RV, When we had the front end aligned in Red Bay Alabama we were told we should get the tire replaced as it had worn oddly around the outside edge. The service tech said it wasn’t urgent but should be replaced. I have been trying to get it replaced for the last few months but was finally able to find a tire on simpletire.com. I expect to get an older DOT dated tire but am okay with it since our other tires are two years old now and we were able to save $250 using <a href="https://simpletire.com/">simpletire.com</a>.<p>We are having that tire sent to <a href="http://blackstire.com/MyInstallers/map/28470">Blacks Tire</a> in a small town in South Carolina to have it balanced and installed just before we stop over near Myrtle Beach SC. So now all I have left to do is set up a service appointment with a Cummins Service Center to have them check out an odd sound coming from the engine. I suspect we have an issue with our turbocharger but not being an expert on diesel engines we will leave up the professional diagnosis to the professions.<p>If all goes well we will have the Cummins folks in Jacksonville Florida check out the engine and then we can get Sharon over to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville FL for her annual appointments. It has been lots of logistics planning to get all this done and still travel our planned route south. Now if only we can be assured by Imperial Bonita Estates we will have a nice place to stay in Bonita Springs FL for the winter after the recent extensive hurricane damage.. It isn’t looking to good right now so we may be looking for an alternative place to spend the winter in either Florida or back in Texas… sigh, more logistics…<p><em><b>NOTE: We are at Carolina Beach State Park then on into South Carolina to get our CRV tires replaced before going to Myrtle Beach SC…</b></em><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/dodk1Q3O_fg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com11http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/10/trialstribulations-and-logistics.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-2299255886574421702017-10-07T07:16:00.001-05:002017-10-07T07:16:46.430-05:00Visiting our Daughter and a Little Disc Golf in NC…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XaZKnd4m_E8/WdjFie0FdBI/AAAAAAAAif8/_rkHzVoKxSAwCYZmBmjaPPUGhtr7z0iOACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B3%255D"><img width="549" height="272" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QvCtDj5DXtE/WdjFi18vMhI/AAAAAAAAigA/OJO7PVL0Lm8K4n5pFpzrIjKQgKXg3nHEwCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Kerr Lake, North Carolina was a great two night layover and a place we would like to revisit but it was time to move south. Our next stop was about 85 miles south where we pulled into Jordan Lake’s Popular Point Campground. This is a North Carolina State Park and since we made no reservations we had our choice of all the walk-in sites in loop E.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GMvulXse-yc/WdjFjr4d4nI/AAAAAAAAigE/K0HOZYCteNg5ToY4ckb4UcNlQcbAg8mYwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B27%255D"><img width="371" height="210" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m29EwLMEPvU/WdjFkKM5wPI/AAAAAAAAigI/Kf7PDgYHcKUK5-S0d89rpvoVOwN8yH7BgCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B11%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dJmU5O43cQ0/WdjFk-Nh4vI/AAAAAAAAigM/w7fb9Am7sZ0iMFS6DdpvtD6eJTHhRWvYQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B28%255D"><img width="142" height="211" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YFszHeI1HPI/WdjFlP_EuPI/AAAAAAAAigQ/_794DvrtYRcM34b15Q5M0gOJH8uGWBo1gCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Most of the sites especially lakeside were for dry camping but on the upper part of the loop we found sites with 30 amp hookups and water. We found a nice, quiet, rather private,and level site for our 10 night stay. Poplar Point on Jordan Lake is another great park and with North Carolinas $6 per night discount for seniors over 62 years of age staying at this park is a steal!!!<p>Our reason for staying is to visit our daughter Katie and will stay with her each of the two weekends we are at the lake.&nbsp; Since we arrived on Friday we quickly setup our campsite and then packed up for a three night stay with Katie in Raleigh. A short thirty minutes later we were at her place.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qwERkkfIp_4/WdjFlgw0IfI/AAAAAAAAigU/2DtDe8BWZDwFvwkzL74N6lt8sc1mS6GYwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B35%255D"><img width="301" height="171" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Fr3GHvryoo/WdjFmCTBpvI/AAAAAAAAigY/HxqzNAwwcK4ywDO3j-Y7q4qZ3hTWZx81ACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B17%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CXegB9II_XM/WdjFm26z3qI/AAAAAAAAigc/AOChOy0hc54awUpcT5QAGTqg5RK8v2eGwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B36%255D"><img width="204" height="171" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sX2AdAca7QA/WdjFnPgudBI/AAAAAAAAigg/mJJw_Ye1YQ0lQAfGzDzVikOOsY452KS2wCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B18%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>This weekend we didn’t do a lot. I watched some college football with Katie’s fiancé while Katie and Sharon went with some others to look at wedding dresses. While we didn’t really do a lot we certainly ate well and it is always nice to spend some time with Katie and Brooks.<p>Monday we were back at Jordan Lake where Sharon and I spent some time revisiting our favorite North Carolina disc golf courses. This area is loaded with some really scenic and fun courses allowing us to get our disc golf fix. Our favorite one in the area is an hour away in Pinehurst and we always make it a day when we visit there.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DJSuuiOluxk/WdjFoE0jseI/AAAAAAAAigk/A1LzP3wIR8IYNBS05g-x5LpeG3Zxd_LbQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B12%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YEr0uDIO-CE/WdjFo3qxdwI/AAAAAAAAigo/BtiQcsKXxXACwiRJ8xH9yA9LT9IAb5FWgCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nr_1RvTawlo/WdjFpHldB9I/AAAAAAAAigs/UQ7-YjDJvfUq8SJNibGCsWeOfjqBG_iKwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B6%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M6au1RGT62w/WdjFpgeemxI/AAAAAAAAigw/MKCy559rImERclwJEIP6A0TtyPRHKLIeQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Not only is the disc golf at Reservoir Park in Southern Pines NC one of the most scenic courses we have ever played the hiking around the reservoir is almost as fun. What a beautiful park the residents of this area have to enjoy each and every day. After disc golf we went into Pinehurst NC to revisit the Carolina Hotel built in 1895. We love sitting on the large covered wraparound porch in rocking chairs provided by the hotel.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QDUUQCzVTec/WdjFqIKVjFI/AAAAAAAAig0/CLmiQ8pyMDsYjXMwUTtSeumZ308AyauaACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B40%255D"><img width="391" height="222" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pbkGSOPCvnQ/WdjFqfw7iUI/AAAAAAAAig4/tpF83DC5QLINPtF0KgtpaGlw6OwnC7p4ACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B20%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Veayvz-GG1c/WdjFq33VC2I/AAAAAAAAig8/kavYb4YjT5wKnHVLnZYqIMPPBeO1EYdMQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B41%255D"><img width="123" height="219" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gnNG6q_pMoI/WdjFrJtaS_I/AAAAAAAAihA/3_6ri-4jPtELswCTQVKJcpZq4ysA4loygCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B21%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Before heading home we hit Maxie's a fun local watering hole,&nbsp; We have also visited Carolina Brewery in nearby Pittsboro NC for an occasional happy hour. With only a few days left at Jordan Lake we will spend one last weekend with Katie and then continue our migration south.<p><em><b>NOTE: We are at Popular Point Campground at Jordan Lake in North Carolina. Our next stop will be a short stay at Carolina Beach State Park then on into South Carolina…</b></em><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/SeLLZCq1Q7Y" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com4http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/10/visiting-our-daughter-and-little-disc.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-15729694209282855602017-10-01T15:47:00.001-05:002017-10-01T15:47:44.411-05:00Every Town has a Story–Henderson NC…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lONVdCE-4FE/WdFUGiba3SI/AAAAAAAAieM/niIIr1737i4avb2aDorNtH2CpQbG6NwkwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B3%255D"><img width="553" height="313" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h0XHk1RGDRs/WdFUHku2-wI/AAAAAAAAieQ/tgzd048qfy4MrKaMaY8bgM7JP8aqKO-twCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>We sure enjoyed our two night stay at Kerr Lake, North Carolina. When we left our friend's farm we knew we were going to be traveling one more long leg to be able to see Katie, our daughter, in Raleigh for the weekend. Katie wants her mom to help her pick out wedding dresses so we decided to move south about 250 miles to Kerr Lake so we would only be about 100 miles away from our stop near Raleigh.</p><p>We scored an absolutely beautiful waterfront site in Bullocksville Park one of the many parks at Lake Kerr. It is part of the North Carolina State Park System. At only $20.00 per night for 50 amp and water hookups it is a steal. I had to reserve it on Reserve America where they add an additional $6.00 reservation fee but I was treated to an additional bonus I didn’t expect. North Carolina parks give a nightly discount to Seniors at age 62 and older. A discount of $6.00 per night made our two night stay only $17.00 per night!!!! Thanks, North Carolina State Park System!<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JYmJpSGncFE/WdFUI3jofSI/AAAAAAAAieU/kur9eQj95dAOdkOpzS3B-wQmUzNaSjPIgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B9%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EkkBKrJTX9o/WdFUJpj684I/AAAAAAAAieY/v4gQfiXfg98Hu4ibYDMviWKIYizccFLsQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S0UJG4Yw454/WdFUKIa9LkI/AAAAAAAAiec/G34sk7OgO3M9o_9_35OKWtCKwLd1GgntgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B15%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lg1kqS1Raho/WdFUK4fNB9I/AAAAAAAAieg/IEQWfj28MRUit7FHqtMnYJ48l4cUyONqwCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We knew there wouldn’t be much to do in this area but with the first day mostly consumed as a travel day there was only one remaining day to explore the area. The only town of any size near the park is Henderson North Carolina which after doing a web search didn’t have a lot to offer. However it is our belief that every town has a story. So what did we find in Henderson NC?<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nzaX5llXafw/WdFUL91EZyI/AAAAAAAAiek/27biL4XnUkwV7cOcHeh826nP9s3eOz4SACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B12%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2hqVbA9vRVQ/WdFUMLF504I/AAAAAAAAieo/vOV7tVu5E2MWv_7qm8Aeg9GcehMytQuvwCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eLjxJKyOkCc/WdFUNa6cXqI/AAAAAAAAies/J_FPMmcSsTYvhapmX-f00tQwKZAoeS7PQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B6%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zWaE_aln4zk/WdFUN6IeW6I/AAAAAAAAiew/iR0tyTvSdy4HU4C3n884ykkzhRuVL6KngCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Roadside America pointed us to a an unparalleled roadside attraction. A local concrete artist and backhoe contactor named Ricky Pearce was the creator. The legs are 17 ft. high and weigh 160,000 pounds. “Inspired by Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch, local artist Ricky Pearce created these legs and across the street a pair of heels to go with them. The sculpture is called “Reminiscing,” which can be seen written if you walk beneath an arch while making your way around the legs. “ The kitsch in this artist rendering are the large bush(es) at the rear of the sculpture. Art? Tacky? Rude? Quirky? Who knows, but it certainly was interesting.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RmSBz4ZvW_o/WdFUOh51m4I/AAAAAAAAie0/fk6f0odE_qAs2gvwOJ7b3DxhO5kOhSsuQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B18%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ur-ZJjXb-nk/WdFUPP69ekI/AAAAAAAAie4/iczIHFCel58pySQgLwE_ktqPCvx1fZGHgCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aU2I8esbJRE/WdFUPrLxSmI/AAAAAAAAie8/cLm-T_nlOh42Y2iEwql5cRC7kmb8oF0BQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B21%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ILJBuCj8CNc/WdFUQFk0QjI/AAAAAAAAifA/XLk6XF7mLkI68WcvWvfKV7zHgjOBCNXCQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Back at Bullocksville Park there were excellent roads and trails for walking around. The park is heavily wooded and the lake views are superb. We spotted a Bald Eagle a few times soaring over the lake but our last evening I was sitting outside birdwatching and seeing the typical summer southeastern birds. Next I saw a group of Turkey Vultures soaring close by and dropping down to land on the lake’s shoreline.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c8An6fuI2nw/WdFUUe8IXII/AAAAAAAAifE/6Y12Tj2vraEgoSK0bh1r6HVkBZSz4d2BwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B31%255D"><img width="221" height="165" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3BPXHBR3IDE/WdFUX0WNL8I/AAAAAAAAifI/pN5sIKBkY2EBwHHyWP38F3yfohiRsahnwCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B13%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ab--fj2eNAs/WdFUYh5cR4I/AAAAAAAAifM/WNdn0XjFW9EgMWHPkPm3vgT2yf3dn1jSACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B30%255D"><img width="293" height="167" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RlL4jHBXj1k/WdFUZDhiLoI/AAAAAAAAifQ/NArEnZD-160ImiaxYuhTyCV2WgkThfokwCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Then I remembered a large dead stripped bass there and as I looked with my binoculars I confirmed what I thought, they were scavenging the dead fish. Suddenly they scattered and it was because the Bald Eagle flew in to land in a nearby tree. I slipped inside to grab my camera and snapped a few photos including one where it looked like the Eagle was smiling at me. The Eagle never dropped in to take the fish so I assume he was not that hungry and a short while later I saw him fly off.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gXEpd5BPve4/WdFUZ1vVVcI/AAAAAAAAifU/9LgWpYoEcBwDpt5Lp7Y0HuD5matR3QkdQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B41%255D"><img width="256" height="266" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cl9tM944JiM/WdFUakqxk9I/AAAAAAAAifY/DIXFLwBb0cwRonPe8UEMJZKx0OJLTYBwwCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B17%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pkmzY2YIJFQ/WdFUbJqjzvI/AAAAAAAAifc/qyrIytm2CiMDB-KcjklX216QOvGRJYi0wCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B42%255D"><img width="260" height="265" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8emwXgdGyMI/WdFUbotrmsI/AAAAAAAAifg/RirGQhJZjGoxkVl0DxmHvviA5RRRvo93QCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B18%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>I loved our two night stay at Kerr Lake and will definitely stay there again!!!<p><strong><em>NOTE: We left Kerr Lake in North Carolina with plans to move on to Dickens RV Park but after calling them discovered they were full… so onto Plan B, Jordan Lake…</em></strong><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/nsxVtQqTYw8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com2http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/10/every-town-has-storyhenderson-nc.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-83168045863284228062017-09-27T20:42:00.001-05:002017-09-28T06:54:47.339-05:00A Little Down Time in the Shenandoah Valley…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c39zcUCdAD0/WcxTYWRsetI/AAAAAAAAic0/vOsRz-iBH8cOmdPMFTwNjlfHJmfplNLQwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B38%255D"><img width="549" height="292" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I805p8PaCZU/WcxTZVbyzwI/AAAAAAAAic4/mqF8kdO6OTAXrBbZ-2XZPkPutPwxFSaKgCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>Now that we have settled in at our friend's farm in The Shenandoah Valley we sure have enjoyed a few days of doing nothing but relaxing after our whirlwind travel south. We have visited here often enough that we fall into a similar routine once we arrive. Every morning we wake up and enjoy a leisurely breakfast while having the luxury of looking out over the Valley. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e833bO4k0d0/WcxTaQ93cCI/AAAAAAAAic8/0hMhKMwkbr0CBaQSCNu4ce_HcDkORoANACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B41%255D"><img width="394" height="224" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XihTDbzhWzw/WcxTa_yGn9I/AAAAAAAAidA/IUCCnrXveNcqomxTMdW-L4YIt-EQflXiACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B15%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DjWu7ndmqcg/WcxTbjiXsFI/AAAAAAAAidE/004OMNAAA9UlBxcFkVwJrGZ4piLERpGegCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B42%255D"><img width="124" height="222" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mohgZFTms1o/WcxTcWmyLVI/AAAAAAAAidI/kCkljlIFZ8oW809peSPYy6iGw_wlB5G_wCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B16%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>After breakfast we take a walk down to the Shenandoah River where we never tire of the panoramic views of the river, the farmland and surrounding mountains. The river has been down a bit from our last visit but still plentiful enough to encourage wildlife. One morning we spotted what I am pretty sure was a mink. We startled it along the banks of the river and watched it scurry off.<p>We almost always see a few deer, a pair or red-tailed hawks, squirrels and rabbits. Occasionally we see turkey and bald eagles. A morning or two ago we spotted a pair of bald eagles. A funny sight occurred as one eagle was settled on old dead tree branch looking out over the river. Another eagle came to light on the branch beside him and when it did the branch broke and both eagles fell several feet before they both righted themselves to fly off. How cool that was to see…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GM3NeTzeeAE/WcxTdW14MGI/AAAAAAAAidM/ZTKzoDa6gt8kQ00aSHsoT78XUpzXTLoLwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B2%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tCNsBsvOXnE/WcxTdwDvJvI/AAAAAAAAidQ/Rj0QSW4gxe45eQ5BoLwA6yPibuyx-nV2QCHMYCw/image_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uMm0q481Xhc/WcxTgu2t3NI/AAAAAAAAidU/MtqorAL0E1EmHUfKr2UCQgWpTzrF3BeswCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B33%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8RkLqnQ7gZQ/WcxThb0Yt2I/AAAAAAAAidY/8fN_xWX9YF0R4QbTT-1N22FGs78QGeggQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B10%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We have also noticed a few interesting insects on our walks. Wooly worms are rather abundant as we have seen them most everywhere but my favorite insect sighting has been seeing the velvet ants in the area this fall.<p>Velvet ants are not actually ants at all as they are in the wasp family. The beautiful velvety red female is the one most often spotted. She is wingless as her counterpart male is not. As such she is often misidentified as an ant and not the wasp she actually is. Being a wasp she hasp a vicious sting but thankfully has no interest in stinging anyone unless she is provoked.<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TsTOxFQYH_E/WcxTh9PN-oI/AAAAAAAAidc/McCpZl8v5fMNe08Y_Lj7RRguLVMuj8TDACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B44%255D"><img width="209" height="167" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yB4BjhU7CYY/WcxTiveXgvI/AAAAAAAAidg/aD39oH-yWjYuuZ8L4i0-zmOUgQFzUxERQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B18%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Ut6ZVEDTMc/WcxTjhkGQ9I/AAAAAAAAidk/L0Ps-Av2e1o5FFLINphaCVU_xUzdW6GxwCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B43%255D"><img width="294" height="167" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IqpS91i2jp0/WcxTkE_FzBI/AAAAAAAAido/SjoMY7v52HAFKKFMd7sViUhSOIPicOlzQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B17%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Another favorite afternoon activity has been playing a little disc golf at the County Park nearby.&nbsp; It is a very nicely laid out course with some challenging baskets. It always makes for a fun afternoon and we have happily seen some improvements in our game after having played the course several times. At the end of each day we would enjoy a happy hour and cook a nice meal to enjoy with our spectacular views…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qrQI3n9p6wo/WcxTknzw9SI/AAAAAAAAids/tE-6Ymd4u6MmSdlyMKl4F79kCAHl0HRzgCHMYCw/s1600-h/DSCN9468%255B3%255D"><img width="244" height="135" title="DSCN9468" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="DSCN9468" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5vPqmOu3qpg/WcxTlFrgXRI/AAAAAAAAidw/YysB5Z3ReAk28wkDk0e6ofwnHDh5ycIxACHMYCw/DSCN9468_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OnzK4JovROg/WcxTmNWtExI/AAAAAAAAid0/uf9iKIfddPoiqwQp80hwaLnlvNThif20ACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B27%255D"><img width="244" height="139" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D96RRyqrBDM/WcxTmonU5hI/AAAAAAAAid4/Q9xvDigMgc4SZQtvhFoYM3ZQSsmbD3FcgCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We at a bit concerned about our winter home this year as we have reservations for Imperial Bonita Estates (IBE) in Bonita Springs Florida. You may not remember or know but that is the site where Hurricane Irma made landfall after hitting the Keys.The hurricane caused a lot of damage to the park but most of the damage came form the floodwaters of the Imperial River which has only in the last day finally begun making its way back into its banks. There is much to do to ready IBE for winter guests and our reservation was to be for three months beginning December 1st. We figure we will wait another week or two to see if we will need to find another place to winter or not&nbsp; Oh well, such is life of the wandering full-timers on the Road of Retirement…<p><em><b>NOTE: We left Toms Brook Virginia today and headed south to Kerr Lake in North Carolina for a few nights. Then on to Dickins RV Park south of Raleigh North Carolina to spend some time with our daughter who recently got engaged…</b></em><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/-AC83rR408k" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com3http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/09/a-little-down-time-in-shenandoah-valley.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885468929827985437.post-59639936243649856002017-09-23T08:41:00.001-05:002017-09-23T08:41:50.694-05:00Sprinting (for us) South with a Visit to Hershey PA…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iyGVkBL5h1M/WcZkNiTAthI/AAAAAAAAibY/E1DzUscDbQMa6qnUfYYPuVDUV0j8qsCIgCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B18%255D"><img width="550" height="311" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VwMiYvniUe4/WcZkOih0sQI/AAAAAAAAibc/ykaSOEME0nwOWflC8OfSf-pwWj_5J8ZkgCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>With our plan to slowly move down the east coast of Massachusetts thwarted by hurricane Jose we decided to move inland. Sharon was also able to get an appointment at the Mayo in Jacksonville Florida earlier than we had planned so we decided since rain was predicted for most of New England for the next two days&nbsp; we'd just make a beeline south. We traveled like we never have before.</p><p>Before moving south though we were able to meet up with Imperial Bonita Estates (IBE) friends, Jean and Roy, whom we first met in Florida. They have a place on a lake in northern New Hampshire so we drove up to visit them. What a nice place they have and what a great day we had visiting them. They even treated us to a pontoon boat ride around the lake they are at. What a treat it was getting back on the water. For those of you that don’t know IBE is just north of Naples Florida and it was hit very hard by Hurricane Irma. Our friends have a place there and it will need a lot of work on it before they can get back to their winter home in Florida. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rUnFtMsO78U/WcZkQj4F_HI/AAAAAAAAibg/7WgLX3Qbh64sCqLxLqaxqAE-MqlH9bizQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B33%255D"><img width="387" height="219" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R3vWNR6YnMY/WcZkRLX44qI/AAAAAAAAibk/ZpUlYumMgb4Vu3U8EeMM6zTXE4_PbSMPwCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B13%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3Ipbv8wPArk/WcZkSuqU7dI/AAAAAAAAibo/bHQIWve1mvgjZeQZL5bQTUkPhBIr4a_lQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B34%255D"><img width="122" height="219" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mBt3wDzbmnk/WcZkTOVcORI/AAAAAAAAibs/OPjNDNER4hgILWyMlq-Nl0OphZN9Ulg2QCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B14%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>We moved on three consecutive days traveling about 200 miles each day with the endpoint being back at our friend's farm near Toms Brook Virginia. We usually only like to travel less than 150 miles and stay no less than two nights in order to have some time to explore each area a bit before moving on. Sharon also wants to make a short trip back to Raleigh to be a part of Katie's initial wedding gown shopping.&nbsp; So by making this mad dash we hoped to make up most of the time we need for a short visit to see Katie and arriving in Jacksonville in October. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6InDtGyd87s/WcZkWBts0EI/AAAAAAAAibw/5jLBQwMDG3QLS62X6D7fgztgcxNJdvaNACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B38%255D"><img width="252" height="144" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4ci2QkCUEQo/WcZkWrJJa4I/AAAAAAAAib0/TnQjrRoNqYIjPi03BZYzSWDqyONuye1OQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B18%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UW2TqYbcZpk/WcZkaMOB7ZI/AAAAAAAAib4/XloHYitIRFApq4sB_iE4rF7-8m2pfL2CACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B37%255D"><img width="256" height="146" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HCQcSAzkQXk/WcZkametBfI/AAAAAAAAib8/l4stssfXtpIuXa1c8pxqqx0IofryesgcwCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B17%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>Our first day was leaving New Hampshire around New York City into Massachusetts and finally as far as the Danbury Connecticut Welcome Center at Exit on 1 Interstate 84N at Mile Marker 2.5. This would be our first ever stopover for the night in a rest area. What made us choose one was Connecticut allows overnight stays in their rest areas and even has a separate parking area for RV’s away from the truckers.<p>After traveling 210 miles we were happy to settle in and disconnect the car. We still wanted to check out the nearby towns even though we had less time to do so. Danbury Connecticut is a nice sized town with an interesting downtown area but we didn't;t have time to really explore it. We then drove across the New York state line to Brewster NY. It was not as interesting a downtown and much smaller than Danbury but we did find a brewery called Bull &amp; Barrel Brewery. It had decent though not spectacular beer but was WAY too pricey for our tastes. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DXyZElCQxnk/WcZkcXrrrbI/AAAAAAAAicA/MfKvyzQw5nwXtcvXKqPIr4RC2zHK5YTWACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B39%255D"><img width="157" height="282" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4l7ap8luF0I/WcZkc3aAHtI/AAAAAAAAicE/MlgYUjCaVvkOo1JZMTQo0Vvg8pPOIZMlACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B19%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LJrZcR7zXDk/WcZken_WgDI/AAAAAAAAicI/mu2Y2VUylcoSTBb5iEHtxkSMhfImQCEvQCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B40%255D"><img width="157" height="282" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TXp1dKeZOVM/WcZkfT4ZpWI/AAAAAAAAicM/37zn8Ok0qwc2oZVVw8Auw29bimnhA_jKgCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B20%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zR37AltE18c/WcZkhjCvVJI/AAAAAAAAicQ/p3OnQhCzWswWWZ3pxVvKRUlAnnQnGzQ9gCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B41%255D"><img width="170" height="285" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FDeAe8Hf060/WcZkiW1bPXI/AAAAAAAAicU/qAnSfwx6vBsLyiFL1__1RSBDBfRDoi4ZACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B21%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>The next day we traveled through New York and New Jersey into Pennsylvania driving about 275 miles. We pulled into the Hollywood Casino in Grantville PA. They allow overnight parking in their lot (no hook ups for the 2nd night in a row). We set up and unhooked the car and made the drive over to Hershey PA. We took the free tour at the Hershey Chocolate Factory and really enjoyed it. We couldn’t leave without having some Hershey Ice Cream as we remembered loving the Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream enjoyed In Pennsylvania during our first year as full-timers. We also ate out at a small diner that was well, underwhelming so no need to mention it especially since it may have been the worse Philly Cheesesteak I ever had! Bummer. Oh well…<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d_t516qECR4/WcZkkA40t_I/AAAAAAAAicY/TOsOWwRZFMo-o3-edrcUwTV_1rGtwuLAACHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B43%255D"><img width="315" height="245" title="image" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WRrjjKku4IY/WcZkk07fXBI/AAAAAAAAicc/gZnKaY7lVDAk5fT6Aa5PM1FeDd9LeytHACHMYCw/image_thumb%255B23%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H-pfLNzylKk/WcZkm2MwyeI/AAAAAAAAicg/vY7i5wKzUDoAeaUu4ylxVjgbkwoRvJ62QCHMYCw/s1600-h/image%255B5%255D"><img width="175" height="244" title="image" style="margin: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bBBfZ1eEJRc/WcZknTM0ZTI/AAAAAAAAick/IRs58XqpgFYiSswzSwvg2PNDptCRueeQQCHMYCw/image_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a><p>The next day we drove the remaining 210 miles south through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia settling at last at our friend's farm in Virginia… Whew!!! Over 600 miles in three days is traveling fast for us. Normally this would have taken us at least ten days to move this far but at least we are now back on track to continue our slow trek south....…<p><em><b>NOTE: We are near Toms Brook Virginia and will spend about a week here before heading south to spend some time with our daughter who recently got engaged in North Carolina…</b></em><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OnTheRoadToRetirement/~4/-W7i2GQGDUU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>heyduke50http://www.blogger.com/profile/14927304490275027002noreply@blogger.com9http://zeetraveler.blogspot.com/2017/09/sprinting-for-us-south-with-visit-to.html